CHAPTER 8 #2
Before I could take any more details in, the chaotic end of the city disappeared behind the tall sandstone wall separating it, the noise muted as the elevator brought us to a spotless, empty lane.
Near the base of the platform, a person stood swathed in layers of fabric. Scarves covered their body so thoroughly that only a pair of eyes peeked through. They raised a hand in greeting, then motioned to a small cart hitched to a long landpod.
No one moved.
The guide looked at the captain and signed quickly with gloved hands.
“That’s perfect, thank you,” Zephyr Kentar said. Then, to us, “We can get on and they’ll take us to the assigned accommodation for the duration of our stay.”
The four of us mounted, and the guide didn’t lose any time before setting out. He manned us down wide streets, passing various squares adorned with the same style of multi-colored tiles I’d spotted from the top of the podport tower.
I couldn’t help it, my eyes widened at the sight of the massive fountains decorating some of them. It definitely was an interesting choice to use water as a decoration in the middle of the desert, especially after what I’d seen on the other side of the city, but I didn’t comment on it.
“Any problem?” The captain’s voice broke through my focus.
My head snapped to my right, where he sat watching me with that light but ever-present squint in his eyes.
The long canvases hung over the streets provided a much-appreciated respite from the sun.
Rays of sunlight still filtered through the gaps, catching in the sand-colored stone and glinting off metal fences.
They also cast his skin in a deep, golden-bronze hue that made his eyes gleam like emeralds in contrast.
Eyes that didn’t look away.
“Nothing.”
His eyes squinted further, travelling to the street behind me, where my attention had been set. Disapproval of whatever thoughts he assumed I was having shone within them.
A challenge rose to my tongue, but the landpod came to a stop before I got the chance to speak it.
“Is it here?” It was Armand’s shocked voice that finally made me tear my gaze away.
Our guide had jumped from the landpod and was pushing the door of a small two-stories high house open.
Made of sandstone and steel, the house was in stark contrast with the much larger structures all around.
On one side, a fortress rose two floors higher, capped by a bronzed dome.
Behind it loomed a towering steel pod-like building, easily double the height of anything around it, casting the house in its long shadow. A depot of some kind.
Sergeant Yaa was already trailing behind the guide, his baton in one hand, the other raised in the air. When his bag moved behind him, I understood why.
Armand dismounted then turned towards us. One golden eyebrow arched in question. Zephyr and I were still awkwardly frozen in place on the bench, and I felt the press of his stare on the side of my face like a coal.
I refrained from looking over my shoulder as I slid from the sleigh and entered the building.
The temperature dropped by several blessed degrees the moment I crossed the threshold.
A sigh slipped from my lips upon finally escaping the crushing sun.
My eyes were still adjusting to the dimmer interior when movement brushed past me—the guide, heading back into the street.
Before I could fully register that he was leaving, the door clicked shut behind him with a soft thud.
Um, okay.
“Welcome to one of the king’s inconspicuous properties in the glorious city of Kipiramida,” Kwabena said.
I glanced around. On the outside, the house seemed less grandiose and fancy than the surrounding ones, but still well-made enough to look the part. On the inside, it was a skeleton. Bare walls and plain concrete floors paired with the minimum furniture to make it functional.
“They said there’s enough food stocked in the kitchen for three days,” Sergeant Yaa continued, referring to the guide. “And that someone will deliver more if we need to extend our stay.”
With a practiced sweep, Kwabena removed his hat, freeing a mass of braided locks that sprang in every direction. He gestured toward the staircase.
“There are two bedrooms on the upper floor and two down here—”
“I’d like to sleep at ground level,” I requested, just as the captain said, “I’m on this floor.”
Our eyes collided through the dimness, but I looked away just as quickly.
Kwabena chuckled, soft and easy, the sound like calm waves lapping the shore.
“Well, then. That’s settled.” He placed his hat on the lone piece of furniture in the corridor, a tired-looking vanity that had definitely seen better days. “How should we proceed?” His dark eyes bounced between me and Zephyr as he leant further on his cane.
“We should—” I started. Once again, Zephyr spoke at the same time. “We go to Dr. Sircelen’s house.”
My jaw grinded shut, but he motioned for me to continue. “I agree with the captain. It’s the best course of action.” I lifted my chin, pinning him with a glare. “In the future, though, you’d do well to remember we’re a team, not a unit under your command.”
Annoyance flashed in his eyes, but he remained silent.
“We should take landpods,” Sergeant Yaa said. “It’s too hot to be walking around.”
I knew I liked him for a reason.
The captain nodded. “The guide said there are four landpods in the annex.”
Perfect. I wasn’t a psychokinetic, but I could pair with Armand.
Who also wasn’t psychokinetic.
Damn.
Three sets of eyes fell on Armand’s long sleeves; on the pale skin hiding underneath I knew was smooth and bare of any ink.
“We need to make inventory of skills. What is yours, Centurion Bleuombre?” As soon as the words left Zephyr’s lips, Armand and I tensed.
In Widesight, such a question would never have been posed aloud. Especially with two other people in the room. It was considered extremely impolite to ask. If someone chose to display their mark or marks, it was their choice, but no one had the right to ask. Not even fellow comrades.
Most people could only tolerate a single mark on their skin. And while that had to do with genes—which couldn’t be changed—there were always the occasional arrogant assholes who thought that having two somehow made them better.