The Soultakers by Christina L. Rozelle

Author:Christina L. Rozelle [Rozelle, Christina L.]
Language: ara
Format: epub
Tags: BluA
Publisher: A Spark in the Dark Press
Published: 2015-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

When we get outside, a thousand lilac stars twinkle above us and the lavender moon has shifted its position in the sky. Over the white, arched bridge and pool, Zee cuts left down a winding dirt path lined with flowers, their colors muted gray by the night. I feel their pain. We stroll in silence, stopping whenever I get dizzy, and I dig deep inside myself for a piece of who I am in the light . . . the colors of Joy. Things will be so much easier—and much more difficult—when I remember.

Soon, the pathway opens to a wider area enclosed by a metal railing, where at the entrance hangs a large sign that reads: Towne Centre. Posted below it is another sign with words I can’t quite make out. I walk toward it, and Zee follows. Once there, I squint to read it.

Citizens of Alzanei,

Due to the recent disappearances, a new law shall be implemented from this day forward: For every one of His Lord’s Clergymen, Pures, or OAIs who goes missing, two children and two Impures are beheaded at dawn the following day. All citizens must be present at the execution.

~ His Lord’s Clergy

Farther in, at the center of the area, is a semi-circle of four rectangular objects, each with dark splatter stains on them.

“What are those?” I ask.

“Guillotines. For the beheadings.”

“No . . . Children, too?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“How awful.”

“Yes . . . it is.”

“What are OAIs?” I ask.

“They are the men and women you see with the white helmets. They are . . . Lord Daumier’s . . . special Pures.”

“What makes them so special?”

“They are part machine.”

“Part machine? How—?”

“Extensive scientific discoveries and modifications. Please, don’t make me explain it beyond that for now.”

Through the darkness and beyond the cluster of living tubes, the Monastery glows on the horizon. Torches flicker along the railings, and at the bottom of the building, right in the center, stands a giant, red door with its own small balcony above it. Hung from this is a heavy white cloth with a gold circle in the middle—the same markings as the scar on my wrist.

We stop for a moment, and I stare, trembling with dread. I don’t want to go in there.

I know, Joy. But you have to. Don’t worry, though . . . I’ve got something that will . . . help you. “Right over here.” She guides me in another direction. Also, you going there puts you in a great position to scan the place, see what you find. Few humans have entered Lord Daumier’s quarters. You have a unique advantage.

A few yards away stands a little brown building with a sign on the door that reads: MAUDINE’S. Through the front window, a thin woman with white hair pulled into a neat, round bun and a thick, silver band hugging her neck arranges items on a table. When she sees us, she waves, then goes back to her task.

She doesn’t look very friendly, I say.

That’s common here. I assure you, though, she’s one of the best.

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