Blood of Fire

  Blood of Fire

  Marlow York

  © 2018 Marlow York. All rights reserved.

  Special thanks to the following: My mother, for giving me the creative gene. David, for encouragement and love. Amanda Dedie, a superb beta reader/copy editor with an eye for details. My editor, Estelle Laure, and my cover designer, J Caleb @ J Caleb Design for all their hard work. And to everyone else who has supported me during this marathon writing journey: thank you for believing in me.

  Prologue

  Iwas in the orchard, picking apples with the other Harvesters when it happened. Flocks of birds—tiny songbirds and predatory crows alike—hurried away from the village, shrieking warning cries to each other. They knew danger was coming long before the first bomb even hit the ground.

  We wanted to believe what happened that day was an accident, but now I know better. When the City is part of the equation, nothing is coincidence. Everything they did was part of a well-calculated plan, one that likely spanned generations.

  It is only in hindsight that we can see things clearly, and that is why I tell my story. It is a warning to all those who may find themselves in a game with unexplained rules. Keep your eyes open, stay ever vigilant, and never trust someone else to control your fate. That is up to you, and you alone.

  Part 1: Fiero

  Chapter 1

  “D

  on’t you ever get dizzy way up there?”

  I looked down from the treetop and grinned at my older sister, Jenassa. “Never,” I said. “I was born for this.”

  “Yeah, you must be part squirrel,” she scoffed with a grin.

  I playfully threw an apple at her and she caught it without flinching. I looked like our mother—brown hair, hazel eyes, and an average build. Jenassa took after our father—tall and strong with dirty blonde hair and twinkling blue eyes. They both helped take care of the village’s livestock, while I worked with the Harvesters.

  Jenassa took a bite out of the apple with a loud snap.

  “Don’t let the guards catch you doing that.” I nimbly climbed down from the tree and glanced around, but there were only other Harvesters nearby. The next guard patrol wasn’t scheduled for another twenty minutes or so.

  “Don’t be such a worry wart, Valieri. Here.” She tossed the apple back to me. I grinned and took a bite, my heart thumping with the nervous thrill of disobedience.

  “Ready to head home for the day?” Jenassa stretched her arms over her head and looked around for the group leader, perhaps wondering if she could spirit me away without him noticing.

  “My shift doesn’t end for at least half an hour.”

  Jenassa scoffed. “You’ve done plenty. Look at all these baskets!”

  My eyes scanned a day’s worth of apple harvest. Dozens of huge baskets nearly overflowed with sweet red apples. “Yeah, I suppose this is a lot.”

  “Exactly. Lemme just sweet talk old Darvin into—”

  “Sweet talk me into what?”

  I jumped at the sound of Darvin’s deep voice coming from behind me, my cheeks blushing with embarrassment. Though he was only twenty years-old, Darvin was a hardworking and fair shift leader. I often found myself tongue-tied under his steady gaze, but I seldom had a reason to say more than a few words to him.

  Jenassa smiled like a mischievous cat up to no good. “Darvin, how are you today?” she purred.

  “I’m doing well, Jenassa, how are you?” Darvin’s no-nonsense demeanor faltered whenever Jenassa was around. They had been friends since they were children, a friendship that had continued all throughout their schooling.

  “I’m doing great, but you know what would make my day even better?”

  Darvin rolled his eyes. “What’s that?”

  “If you let my little sister go home early today.” Jenassa wrapped her arm around my shoulders, the sweet, earthy scent of hay and horseflesh wafting over me. “You see, she works so hard and never takes time for her big sister anymore. I thought it would be nice if she could go to the marketplace with me before sundown and help choose some new fabrics for our mother.”

  Darvin looked at me, but I didn’t say anything. I honestly couldn’t tell if Jenassa was being sincere, or if this was just one of her quickly-fabricated schemes.

  “Is that true, Valieri?” Darvin asked.

  I glanced at Jenassa’s grinning face, her eyes quietly encouraging me to add something clever to her story. I, however, was not the fast-talker.

  I looked down at my feet, feeling my blush burn hotter. “Um…yes.”

  “See?” Jenassa said enthusiastically. “What do you say?”

  Darvin chuckled. “Yes, I think that will be okay. Valieri always arrives early and she works hard all day without ever complaining. Unlike someone I know.”

  Jenassa pretended to be offended. “When have I ever complained to you?”

  I freed myself from Jenassa’s squeeze and began gathering my belongings—my empty metal lunch box and the thin sweater I sometimes wore on cool early mornings. I waited impatiently for the two of them to stop their playful banter, then my sister and I walked towards the village.

  Normally my shift didn’t end until the sun hung low in the sky, so it was a bit of a treat to go into the market during the busiest time of day. We had lived in the village our entire lives, just like every other Fiero. Many people waved or stopped to say hello as we made our way from one end of the market to the other. I tiredly trailed along behind my sister while she chatted with old friends and acquaintances.

  I touched Jenassa’s arm when we passed the dressmaker’s shop. “Weren’t we going to buy fabric for Mom?”

  Jenassa turned away from a conversation with an old schoolfriend. “No, no, that was just an excuse. I want to use my rations on something delicious from the baker.”

  Part of me wanted to scold her for wasting rations on something so frivolous, but my mouth-watering hunger convinced me to spend some of my own rations in such a way. Jenassa often had that effect on me—things I might not be brave or impulsive enough to do alone were easier with her around.

  As we continued towards the baker’s home, I stared at the huge metal wall surrounding the City, the home of our people’s rulers. The gate was opening—something I’d only witnessed a few times in all my seventeen years. The City’s guards marched through, confident yet relaxed as they approached the Fiero village, a wooden covered wagon following close behind.

  They wore matching navy-blue jumpsuits, heavy black boots, and black helmets poised atop their heads. My eyes trailed to the thick black batons attached to their hips. Though their frequent patrols were comforting to me, I still always felt a twinge of unease. I’d never been reprimanded by a guard, but when Jenassa was around, I often worried she might do or say something to get us in trouble.

  The huge wagon pulled into the center of the marketplace and the Collectors hopped out. They were here to collect the previous day’s goods and exchange them for rations—a predetermined package of food, medicine, and small items that could either be traded for other goods or kept for personal use.

  Though nearly everyone else in the market had turned to watch the collection, Jenassa didn’t even glance towards the guards or the wagon. She was too busy perusing the selection of breads and small baked goods on the baker’s stand. “Are you getting anything, Valieri?”

  I could see a guard approaching out of the corner of my eye. I tried not to make it obvious that I was watching him as he stood beside me and looked thoughtfully at the selection of items in front of us. I leaned subtly away from him and peeked at his face.

  The man had a cold, serious expression, but he caught my eye and gave a polite nod. “What do you like the most?” he asked.

  “What?” I asked, taken aback by his ques
tion.

  He nodded towards the bakery items. “What do you like the most?”

  “Oh, um…”

  “These are my favorite,” Jenassa piped up. She held a small, round pastry with strawberry jam in the center.

  The guard hummed thoughtfully. “Is that so?” He looked up at the baker, Glenna, who was waiting with a patient smile for us to make our choices. “I’ll take three of these.”

  “Of course,” Glenna said. She wrapped three of the strawberry pastries in a thin cloth and accepted a bag of flour as payment.

  We watched as the guard strode back to the wagon. Three small children were waiting eagerly for the man’s return. He opened the cloth and passed a pastry to each of the children, who thanked him excitedly and scurried away.

  “Those guards are so nice.” Glenna smiled approvingly as Jenassa chose a strawberry pastry.

  I smiled politely in agreement, deciding it would be best not to mention my unease when the guard stood so close to me.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Jenassa strode through the doorway first, smiling brightly as though she hadn’t spent the entire day hauling manure and throwing hay bales. “We’re home!” she announced, dropping her satchel on the wooden dining table.

  Our house was small and only had two rooms. Three, if you counted the loft where my sister and I slept. The warm wooden walls glowed with light from the fireplace, where we cooked our meals and huddled on chilly nights. On the right side of the room hung a bit and bridle my father was repairing for someone. To the left was my parents’ bedroom, just barely big enough for their bed and a wardrobe that had been given to them by my paternal grandparents as a wedding gift.

  Our mother appeared from the bedroom. Her stern eyes softened when she saw us. “You’re home early, Valieri.”

  “I was kidnapped from the orchard and forced to choose between blueberry scones or apple hand pies.”

  Mother’s lips pressed together in disapproval. “Jenassa, that is not a responsible way to spend your rations. You know better.”

  Jenassa shrugged, unflustered by Mother’s expression. “And yet, who is sure to ask for a bite of my strawberry pastry later?”

  Mother grinned and turned to the fireplace. Jenassa and I laughed; Mom couldn’t say no to strawberries.

  The door opened. “Faleen, did the guards do double rounds in the fields—” our father stopped when he saw us. “Girls, home early, are you?”

  Though I was seventeen and my sister was twenty years old, we still obliged our father’s enthusiastic evening bear-hugs. The only difference was he could no longer pick us up and spin us around.

  “Double rounds?” Mother asked.

  “Yes,” Father said. He hung his hat on the hook beside the door. “Just before I left, they came to the barn for another inspection. I wonder if they were looking for something.”

  Jenassa and I exchanged glances. “They did two morning rounds at the south pasture,” my sister said.

  “And at the orchard,” I added.

  My parents frowned at each other. Finally, my mother spoke. “Girls, go wash up for dinner.”

  I watched my parents’ expressions for a moment, but mother quickly returned to the cooking pot. My father busied himself unlacing his boots.

  “Does that mean anything, Dad?” I asked.

  My father smiled, showing his slightly crooked front teeth. “No, I doubt it.” He scratched his scruffy beard. Maybe he didn’t realize it, but he always played with his beard when he was anxious.

  Jenassa was already heading back outside, and I followed her to the well behind our house.

  “What do you think it means?” I asked.

  Jenassa rolled her eyes, grunting as she lifted and pushed the heavy lever. “It means the guards needed more exercise.”

  I pursed my lips in annoyance and pulled a washcloth from my pants waist. I snapped it loudly in the air before dipping it in the cool bucket of water. “Mom and Dad looked nervous. It can’t mean nothing.”

  My sister sighed. “It probably just means the City ordered extra protection. Maybe they think the savages in the forest are coming closer to the village.”

  A breeze blew the cold water on the back of my neck and I shivered—not from the cold, but from the thought of savages coming into the Fiero village.

  Then I looked towards the City’s wall. The soft flicker of lights glimmered through the cracks as the City Dwellers lit their lanterns. Relief washed over me when I remembered the City’s ever-vigilant watch. Each light was like a peaceful eye hovering over us, promising protection and support.

  Footsteps approached our home, snapping my attention away from the City. A tall figure bustled from the outskirts of town and made a beeline for our front door. He knocked rapidly on the heavy wood. When someone opened the door, light shone upon the old man’s bearded face.

  “Juliano,” I murmured, nudging Jenassa with my elbow. Our old school teacher was the last person I expected to see at that hour.

  She furrowed her brows. “What’s he doing here?”

  I strained my ears to catch even the faintest whispered words. My parents both appeared outside, coming closer to catch what Juliano was saying.

  “He mentioned the guards,” I said.

  “He says they’re acting strange,” Jenassa added. I looked at her and she shrugged. “I can sort of read lips.”

  “Shhh,” I hissed.

  Juliano, normally a calm, respectful man, was gesturing animatedly as he spoke with our parents. Even during his most impassioned lectures I’d never seen him look so emotional.

  Then his eyes shot in our direction, realizing we were watching him. He paused, closed his mouth, and smoothed his shirt nervously to regain composure.

  “Please,” I heard him say. “Think about what I’ve said. I could be wrong, but keep your eyes open.”

  Another small breeze passed through the village, pushing my long brown hair across my face. When the same breeze reached Juliano, he wrapped his coat around himself and met my eyes. I felt uncomfortable under his gaze, unaccustomed to the attention.

  Finally, he nodded politely at my parents, wished them a good night, then turned and disappeared into the fading light.

  Soon, the four of us gathered around the dining table, eating a simple meal of venison stew and freshly baked bread with butter.

  “Juliano was here,” Jenassa began bluntly. “What did he want?”

  “Nothing that concerns you,” Mother shot back smoothly. Their eyes met in a silent battle of wills to which there would never be a winner until someone else broke the silence.

  I looked to my father, who swallowed a mouthful of bread. “Juliano merely noticed the same increased guard patrols the rest of us did. He was unnecessarily nervous, like you two.”

  “But how do you know?” I spoke up quietly.

  “Know what?” Father asked.

  “That our worries are unnecessary. The guards are predictable. Surely something must be happening to make them do something different.”

  “How observant of you,” Father said. He smiled at me, but glanced at Mother, uncertain how to respond.

  Mother sighed. “Girls, there is nothing to worry about. One small change in habit doesn’t mean trouble. It could just be a fluke that won’t happen again. But trust me,” her eyes shifted between Jenassa and myself. “If there were danger coming and we knew about it, we would do anything to protect you two.”

  Her hazel eyes swore an oath more intense than her words. I knew I could trust her and my father to protect us at all costs. Though the potential for danger worried me, I always felt safe under my mother’s self-assured gaze.

  I turned to the crackling fireplace. As I stared at the flames, a reassuring warmth radiated outward and enveloped me. Any other questions and worries faded away as a smile came to my lips. I had to shake away my trance and resume eating before anyone noticed I was daydreaming.

  We continued our meal peacefully, and by the time Jenassa and I clim
bed the ladder to our loft bedroom, the only question left on my mind was whether Darvin liked my sister as more than just a friend.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  The early morning sun cast long shadows across the ground as Jenassa and I made our way out of the village.

  “I’ll see you later,” Jenassa said when we reached the horse stables. She turned and waved good morning to the stable master as he led a team of draft horses towards the fields.

  I continued down the worn dirt road that ended at the orchard. As I neared the trees, I spotted several familiar Harvesters gathering empty baskets. That’s when I realized what was missing—something I normally saw several times before Jenassa and I reached the barn.

  Where are all the guards? I wondered.

  I looked around, but there were no navy-blue uniforms in sight. We hadn’t passed any in the village either. An unnerving shiver of dread worked its way down my spine.

  “Valieri!”

  I spun around as my sister’s frantic footsteps thumped towards me.

  “Jenassa?”

  Her face was flushed with effort, panic building in her eyes. “Something’s wrong. Something is happening in the City.”

  “What do you—”

  A low, ominous rumble halted my next words.

  That’s when I noticed the flock of birds rushing towards us, like a storm cloud rolling across the sky. They screeched as they flapped frantically away from the City. Another deep rumble followed them.

  Jenassa turned to see what I was staring at. A massive ship with a long, thick body and four roaring propellers rose from somewhere within the heart of the City and moved towards our village. With a low groan, the propellers shifted from a forward-facing position until they were facing straight up. It hovered above our village, like someone paused in deep thought.

  “What is it doing?” I asked.

  The bottom of the ship opened, and something hurled towards the ground. Jenassa gasped and grabbed my shoulders. “Get down!”