Earth(86)

My nightmares had caught up with me, and I finally understood what I had to do – what I should've done all along. Akasha could reign, but not at the expense of human life.

I paused, eyes tearing up. Something dropped at my feet.

"Excuse me, could you please hand that up?"

I bent down, retrieving a piece of large red material, tied in a bow. I handed it to the woman standing on a ladder above me. She secured it to a lamppost, right next to a clump of gold balls.

Christmas decorations – already?

Other holiday paraphernalia was being placed up and down the outdoor mall. Good to know everything wasn't sacrificed in order to stoke the cooking fires. The air smelled of pine and cinnamon.

"There," she said, climbing down the ladder. She surveyed the rest of the decorations then smiled at me. "For the celebration of new beginnings."

I managed to smile back, then took my leave. Turning down the alley toward the entrance to the One Less camp, I stopped short. Two cars blocked the entire alleyway, sitting side by side, leaving an only very narrow space for passage. A guard stood on top of each of the cars, along with several in front. Each of them had their weapon pointed at me.

I did the only thing I could do. I raised my hands in the air.

"State your name and your business," one of the guards demanded, stepping forward.

"Lucy. Lucy Evermore." I pointed to the blue band on my arm.

"Check the list."

One of them lowered their barrel and began flipping through papers; probably some of the same papers I had drafted myself weeks ago.

My mind raced. What had happened? Had they found out about Micah's crew?

The shuffle of papers ceased. "She's on it."

I lowered my hands and stepped forward.

"Just a minute, you." The guard lowered his weapon and closed the distance between us. "Where were you last night? Everyone was accounted for once we went on lock-down. No one has been allowed to leave yet."

"Where I was, is none of your business," my tone was low and even.

"I've got orders to bring anyone found outside the camp straight to Shawn."

My entire chest constricted, though I kept my eyes locked on his. He said no more.

Is he giving me an out? If he wasn't, he'd already have me in cuffs.

I forced my lungs to take in air. "I don't like to be locked in; spent too much time in prison."

He narrowed his eyes, peering at my face tattoo. "You're that Earth – the one that killed the wild dog?"

I paused, then nodded.

His face broke into a smile. "Shawn doesn't have to know. I think we can work something out." He put his arm around me, leading me deeper into the alley.

I shoved it off. "I'm not going to go there."

He laughed. "Neither am I, sweetheart."

"Then what is it you want?"

"You’ll be my entry into tonight's dog fight."





Chapter 54





A Promise





"A dog fight?" Erika choked on her coffee.

"Yeah – I got caught outside after the lockdown. I think it is the only way the guards won't turn me in. Unless you can pull a few favors?"

She shook her head. "My reach only goes so far. And the guards have gone all chauvinistic on me. Been turning away all my requests, even if it gets sent through someone else."

"What about you, Clay? Aren't you the head guard or something?"

He put down his breakfast plate, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve. "Not since I lost all the prisoners. But Kait—" He paused glancing at Erika. "Er, Lucy….have you ever been to a dog fight?"

"You mean like with pit bulls?"

Erika slapped her forehead with her hand.

Clay took a deep breath. "You are the dog."

"You mean I have to fight?" My stomach flipped. "Another person?"

"Usually a Fire. Not too many other Elementals volunteer." Erika looked at me. "I imagine you'll attract quite the crowd. Being an Earth, and all. Not to mention the fact you’re already famous."

"Will Shawn be there?" I started picking apart my roll; I was no longer hungry.

"Shawn doesn't know about the dog fights. They’re underground, so to speak."

I snorted. "That should give me an advantage."

Clay jumped in. "But there are usually dozens of each type of Elemental in attendance."

I caught his meaning. I wouldn't be able to use any of the other elemental powers, not even for a shield. People would notice. I set down my plate and rubbed my temples. "I don't want to go in blind. Erika – can you find out where the fight is going to be tonight?"

She nodded and stood. "I'm on it."

"And also who I'm fighting…" I called after her.