The Callers by Kiah Thomas

Author:Kiah Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2022-04-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

TWELVE

They crept down to the field under the cover of darkness.

Between them they carried a bag filled with gardening equipment, which clinked every few steps until Allie Called some material to muffle the sound.

Out of caution, they had tried to avoid Calling too many tools. Though as Quin had said, it was unlikely such equipment would be missed. Most organic matter on Elipsom was Called rather than grown, so people rarely gardened seriously. Allie had looked deeply satisfied when the Calling worked, and though Quin felt her elation, he found himself silently apologizing to and thanking the original owners of the things they had taken. Then wondering whether the original owners were actually Evantrans, anyway.

The air felt crisp and the sounds of the evening floated on a gentle breeze. The sky overhead was clear of smog and clouds, the endless black pierced only by twinkling stars. Despite his nerves, Quin felt like he could breathe better than ever before.

As they neared the field, they saw a light where Demetrius and his companions had fallen.

Quin’s eyes flicked to the tower again. They oversaw operations, Allie had explained. The one they could see was the main base, but towers just like it dotted the landscape across Evantra. And everywhere that wasn’t covered by the towers’ reach, there were patrols.

On Elipsom, the guard force kept a close watch on the Spurges, where riots occasionally broke out. But these towers were a whole new level of oppression, a permanent reminder that all Evantrans were under someone else’s control.

The lines of green on the ground gave light to their journey, and before Quin could worry too much about how he would be received, they’d arrived at the field.

Demetrius and the others didn’t notice them at first. They were working quietly, reaching up to twist passionfruit off one of the vines that ran across the rows.

Allie ducked under one of the plants, edging closer.

“Demetrius.” She said his name softly, but the older man still jumped when he saw her.

“Allie,” he said, stepping forward. “What are you doing here? I thought you were sick.”

Allie shook her head and Quin realized that the field they were standing on was the one she normally worked on. The one she’d asked her father to cover for her that morning.

“I’m okay,” she told Demetrius, without elaborating.

Sensing she wanted to avoid further questions, and feeling strange lurking in the darkness, Quin stepped up beside her.

“Hello,” he said. “I’m Quin.”

He decided to drop his usual formality the moment before he spoke, and he felt an odd rush of elation as the words left him. There was something liberating about introducing himself as Quin.

“Quin, this is Demetrius and his grandchildren, Maya and Louis,” said Allie.

“Hello,” said Louis, shaking Quin by the hand.

“Hi Quin.” Maya smiled. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, my boy. Where are you from?” asked Demetrius, clapping Quin on the back.

Allie shifted beside him, and Quin suspected there was every possibility she could make up a wild story if he let her jump in.

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