Ascend (The Cure Chronicles Book 3) by K. A. Riley

Author:K. A. Riley [Riley, K. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-21T16:00:00+00:00

Leaving behind Darryn and Mura to wait for confirmation that we’ve found what we’re looking for, Illian, Kurt, Finn, Peric, Rys, and I head out into the open air as Atticus flies in high circles in the sky above.

The day is clear and warm, the land before us reflecting the sun in a blinding array of yellows and reds.

As we hike toward the city in silence, I stay close to Finn, whose eyes are locked on the horizon. His body is tense, though he seems to be feeling slightly better. Some of the color has returned to his cheeks, and his eyes have regained some of their brightness.

But I still sense the battle raging inside him, and wish I could say or do something—anything—to help him.

Let me take some of your burden.

Before long, we get to the city’s outer wall, where we find a large set of double wooden doors standing open. Glancing around warily, we walk right in, and I admit tacitly that I’m grateful when the doors don’t immediately slam shut behind us.

We’re greeted by a broad street flanked by tile-roofed adobe houses tucked away behind trademark terra-cotta walls. Each property is quiet, idyllic…and utterly empty.

It’s not until we reach the center of the city—the old tourist hub filled with small art galleries and shops—that we see any sign of life.

As we come to a restaurant called the Blue Ghecko, Rys holds up a hand, his eyes fixed on his small glass screen.

“Atticus just spotted something on the next street over,” he says quietly. “Two people—a man and a woman—moving this way.”

I find myself grasping the hilt of my dagger in my hand as Illian tightens and tells us to stop and wait.

“Shouldn’t we go inside?” I ask, eyeing the restaurant’s open door. “For cover?”

“Are the man and woman wearing Directorate garb?” he asks Rys quietly.

“No. Khaki clothing. Looks like old army fatigues.”

Illian’s face relaxes into a smile when he says, “We’re fine.”

It’s only a few seconds before two figures emerge from around the bend in the street up ahead, each carrying a rifle in their hands. Atticus shoots down, swooping and startling them only briefly before they exchange a puzzled look and continue to head in our direction.

“Who are they?” a voice asks from behind me.

I turn to see Peric, who’s been silently trudging along with our party like a sullen shadow.

“Friends,” Illian says with finality.

He steps toward the pair first, followed by Kurt then the rest of us. Though I don’t know who these people are, I find myself thankful that Rys isn’t wearing his old Directorate uniform. If these are allies, I can only imagine their guns would quickly be trained on anyone stupid enough to display the golden rose on their chest.

“Illian, how nice to see you,” the woman says, speaking first. “It’s been years.” She’s smiling warmly, though the man next to her eyes us all warily.

“Emiline,” Illian replies. “And Razh. I’m so pleased to see you both.”

“Pleased and confused, by the looks of it,” the woman chuckles.

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