Scythe Page 12

  “No, I don’t believe them,” I say solemnly.

  Luci pales. “How can you doubt us?”

  At the same time, Josiah rounds on his wife. “I told you I should have done all the talking.”

  Godwin raises his hand; both Luci and Josiah fall silent once more. “Enough.” The doctor pins the couple with a look that could peel paint. “I gave you both a chance to do it your way. Now, I must step in and fix this myself.” Godwin pulls a manila folder from his pocket and tosses it to me. “You’re here because you’re a criminal, Wisteria. Luci and Josiah were never your sponsor parents. There were no jaunts across Newbury Street. You tried to set off a nuclear bomb in Western Mass. You’re a killer.”

  An icy feeling crawls up my back. While everything Luci and Josiah said seemed wrong, this nuclear bomb story feels partly true. I set my hand on my throat. But I’m a killer? I tried to hurt people? That can’t be right.

  The folder sits on my lap, heavy as a brick. I slowly open it and scan through the e-sheets inside. They look like paper, but have hyperlinks and live video feeds. I see someone who looks like me stealing parts from a reclamation center … setting off an explosion from a run-down lab … and finally, laying unconscious on a concrete floor. Rage and grief battle it out inside my nervous system. Did I do this? Or am I being framed?

  Godwin tilts his head. The movement reminds me of a hungry mastiff sizing up a squirrel. “In the process of apprehending you, a Merciless soldier knocked you unconscious.”

  A shiver twists down my back. The Merciless. Those warriors wear black body armor that resembles charred-out bones. It does feel true that I’ve encountered them, even if I can’t remember the specifics. And if all the Merciless did was punch me in the head, then I got away lucky.

  “As a result, you had a brain hemorrhage,” adds Godwin. “Normally, someone like you would be killed. Or at least, allowed to die quickly. But I need people who can work the drift, so I spent weeks restoring what I could of your mind. You now have permanent amnesia. You remember people, places, and tasks … so long as they aren’t personal to you. My hope is that your gift for drift science is still intact.”

  I clutch the e-sheets more tightly. Permanent amnesia? A weight of sorrow lands on my shoulders. I’ll never remember my previous life. All those tears, laughs, and goals. Gone.

  “Which brings us to the present moment,” says Godwin. “I need to discover if you can still work the drift. Assuming you prove yourself, then you’ll be given a chance to serve the Authority.” He lowers his voice. “For the rest of your life.”

  My soul writhes with revulsion. The Authority is evil; I remember that much. Anyone who’s sick or poor gets declared an undesirable and cleansed, which means they’re either killed by the Merciless or fed to an attack animal. Or both. Godwin runs the beastie side of the equation, which is yet another reason to escape.

  The doctor stalks closer. “You’ll work in secret. Any success you achieve will be attributed to me … and only me. Failure will mean your death.”

  I won’t lie. This is scary stuff. Even so, something in Godwin’s speech seems off. I mean, beyond the whole sketchy I had to wipe your memory part.

  Godwin continues. “Normally you’d be assigned Merciless guards, day and night.”

  My blood chills. Merciless? No, thank you. “But you run the Authority’s program for genetically-enhanced attack animals,” I explain. “The Merciless are led by General Humboldt. If I’m to be kept secret—”

  “Quiet,” interrupts Godwin. “If I want you to speak, I’ll tell you what to say.” He lifts his chin. “Of course, I’ve already foreseen this issue with General Humboldt. That’s why I’ve made a significant investment to reroute all your data feeds to my personal servers. And I’ve also found a private guard for you.” He snaps his fingers. “Enter.”

  A boy stalks into the room. Wearing fitted black body armor, he looks about eighteen years old with broad shoulders and a lean, muscular body. His hair is cut short—military style—and sets off the heavy angles of his face. But what stuns me are his eyes.

  Large.

  Brown.

  Soulful.

  My breath catches. I know this boy. He’s important.

  On reflex, I raise my fingers to my lips. A recollection appears. Words echo through my mind.

  “That kiss will help you remember.”

  “Meet your new guard.” Godwin sets his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Introduce yourself.”

  If the boy recognizes me, he doesn’t show it. His eyes stay cold as his gaze locks with mine. “I’m Thorne Oxblood.”

  My throat tightens with a held-in sob. I don’t remember this boy, so why does this moment feel like such a betrayal? After all, I handled waking up with the Luci and Josiah Show like some part of me was expecting it.

  But Thorne? His icy stare feels like a body blow.

  I glance over to Godwin. The word smug pretty much sums up the doctor’s face. “Now,” says Godwin. “Tell her what I’ve hired you to do.”

  Thorne’s cruel gaze locks with mine once again. “I’ll force you to deliver whatever the doctor requires or else. Godwin has great plans for the Liberation Celebration.”

  “I’m sure he does,” I quip. Not sure where I find the sass, but I’m glad it’s with me, especially when discussing the Liberation Celebration.

  Every year, the Authority holds an August party to celebrate the day they took power and leveled half the continent. All the bigwigs in the Star Council do something to show off. Last year, Godwin released a new breed of attack animal that combines wolves, bats, and crocodiles. I know. Yipes.

  “I repeat,” states Thorne. “The Liberation Celebration is crucial. You will help Godwin or die. And that is why I’m here.”

  All my sass melts through the floor. Something about Thorne tears at my soul in a deeper way than anything from Godwin, Luci, or Josiah. I grip the e-sheets even more tightly. This can’t be happening.

  Luci and Josiah share a worried look; my so-called sponsor mother raises her hand. “May I ask a question, doctor?”

  Godwin sniffs. “If you insist.”

  “Is Thorne staying in our campus dorm complex, too? ECHO Academy has a very specific process for adding sponsor children to our program. We have a chamber set aside for Wisteria, but I don’t know where we’d put Thorne.”

  Godwin shrugs. “I should have thought that was obvious. Think. What do you believe I should do next?”

  Ugh. I hate it when people make you guess like you’re in second grade. Especially when they know perfectly well that no one thinks as evilly as they do.

  “Move Thorne into Wisteria’s room?” asks Luci.

  “No.” Godwin bites off the word. “The two of you failed. Wisteria will stay in another facility on ECHO Campus. If I have need of you, I’ll let you know.”

  Josiah’s mouth falls open. “She’s not our sponsor child any more?”

  “The pair of you are incompetent beyond belief,” snarls Godwin. “You’re dismissed.”

  Luci slumps. Whatever she thought would happen today, getting cut loose wasn’t in the plan. “But I thought—”

  “LEAVE,” orders Godwin. “Or Thorne will make you go.”

  In the universal move of heavies everywhere, Thorne slams his fist onto the flat of his opposite hand. Subtle.

  Luci and Josiah skitter from the room, leaving me alone with Thorne and Godwin. I must be honest here. Hanging with these two is not the best feeling in the world. There are times when a girl would love to cuddle up with a firearm.

  Now is one of those moments.

  Godwin sighs. “I knew they’d be hopeless.” He turns to Thorne. “Make sure the girl’s ready for testing tomorrow morning, June fifteenth, 8 am.”

  “Yes, sir,” says Thorne.

  “Testing?” I sit up straighter. “Don’t I need more time to recover?”

  “Let me make one thing clear.” Godwin’s voice transforms into a sinister whisper. “I don’t want
you in this program. If I weren’t so desperate for drift scientists, I wouldn’t even consider someone like you. And if you’re any good, you’ll become nothing but a whisper and a shadow. I trust we understand each other.”

  “We do,” I reply. Somehow, I manage to jam all the hatred in the continent into those two words.

  What a creep. That unsure feeling I had before? It now transforms into certainty. I know exactly what Godwin’s been up to. I was framed. And this morning? It’s been a bait and switch con job. Godwin thought he could bring in Luci and Josiah to talk sunshine and rainbows. For some reason, he thought I’d fall for those two. Then he yanked the rug out from under me by taking away my sponsor parents and replacing them with this badass guard. Sadly, the second part of his scheme was more successful.

  Even so, the important part is this: I know what’s happening to me now. Godwin plans is to break me so I’ll do what he wants.

  He won’t succeed.

  Crossing the room, Godwin presses a button set onto the wall. “Knock her out.”

  A young woman’s voice sounds from hidden speakers. “Yes, Doctor Godwin.”

  Blue fluid fills my IV tube. I frown. That particular shade of drug is familiar.

  Tranquilizer.

  Without saying another word, Godwin stalks out the door. Even though the doctor’s walking away, a sense of rage pours off him.

  Wow, does that guy ever hate my guts.

  Within seconds, my eyelids droop. A low whir sounds as the blinds auto-close on my bay windows. The door shuts with a soft click, leaving me in darkness.

  Thorne stands against the wall, silent and staring. He could be the cover boy for Cruel Killer magazine, the guy’s so intimidating.

  As I pass out, I focus my thoughts on him.

  Who are you, really? And how I get past you to escape?

  Acknowledgments

  Gulp.

  Double gulp.

  I’m taking the plunge and have decided to become an author full time.

  Yipes!

  Did I mention that I’m freaking out? Well, I am.

  Here’s the story on my full time fears. On the next few pages, you’ll see the somewhat insane list of books that have been lurking in my brain and can now get OUT OF MY FUCKING HEAD over the next few years. I’m told it’s too aggressive and might overwhelm you, my dear readership.

  Eep.

  Still, I can’t help it. Stories churn around my soul. If don’t release them in time, I worry they’ll evaporate into the ethos. Besides, my internal reality is really fractured. It helps to share it with others who go: wow, that’s kind of cool!

  So there you have it. Thanks in advance for your support and understanding, because I’ll definitely do something stupid as I make this journey. But no matter what turns this path may take, I’d like to commence by showing my appreciation to the team of crazies who’ve helped make this all possible.

  First, there is the amazing team at Inscribe Digital. They believed in me and my vision from the start. Thank you, Kelly Peterson, Ana Szaky, Katy Beehler, and Allison Davis. You’re marvels!!!

  Next, there’s the wonderful team at Monster House Books. Arely Zimmermann, where would I be without you? I shiver to even think about. Plus, I’m incredibly proud to see you grow as a businesswoman and editor.

  And I can never forget you, my dear readers and bloggers. You guys are the best, end of story. Thank you for every high five, sweet idea, and suggested change. Mwah!

  Most importantly, my deepest appreciation goes out to my husband and son. Your patience and support mean everything. I love you both with all my heart and soul.

  Collected Works

  Angelbound Origins

  About a quasi (part demon and part human) girl who loves kicking butt in Purgatory's Arena

  .5 Duty Bound – a prequel from Prince Lincoln

  1. Angelbound

  1.5 Lincoln – the events of Angelbound as told by Prince Lincoln

  2. Scala

  3. Acca

  4. Thrax

  5. The Dark Lands

  6. The Brutal Time (Fall 2019)

  7. Armageddon (already here, long story!)

  Angelbound Offspring

  The next generation takes on Heaven, Hell, and everything in between

  1. Maxon

  2. Portia

  3. Zinnia (Summer 2019)

  4. Kaps (Summer 2020)

  5. Huntress (Summer 2021)

  Angelbound Worlds

  Inside stories about your fav characters

  1. Xavier (Spring 2020)

  2. Cissy (Spring 2021)

  Beholder

  Where a medieval farm girl discovers necromancy and true love

  1. Cursed

  2. Concealed

  3. Cherished

  4. Crowned

  5. Cradled

  Fairy Tales of the Magicorum

  Modern fairy tales with sass, action, and romance

  1. Wolves and Roses

  1.5 Moonlight and Midtown

  2. Shifters and Glyphs

  3. Slippers and Thieves (Fall 2019)

  4. Bandits and Ballgowns (Fall 2020)

  Dimension Drift

  Dystopian adventures with science, snark, and hot aliens

  Prequels

  1. Scythe

  2. Umbra

  Novels

  1. Alien Minds (Spring 2019)

  2. ECHO Academy (Spring 2020)

  3. Drift Warrior (Spring 2021)

  Publisher's Note: Christina Bauer is a non-linear thinker who came up with ARMAGEDDON and then went back and wrote some earlier books. This is why you'll see ARMAGEDDON (Book 7) and the Offspring series available before THE BRUTAL TIME (Book 6). We've told her to stop this practice, but she keeps giving us lewd hand gestures in response. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience.

  About Author Christina Bauer

  Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too. Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

  Stalk Christina on Social Media – She Loves It!

  Blog: http://monsterhousebooks.com/blog/category/christina

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBauer/

  Twitter: @CB_Bauer

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_cb_bauer/

  Web site: www.bauersbooks.com

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  Get a FREE copy of Christina Bauer's novella, BEVERLY HILLS VAMPIRE, when you sign up for her personal newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/bauersbooks

  ***Not available in stores***

  Author’s Note

  Dear Readers,

  After fifteen books, my writing process seems set. Rock solid. Then comes the Dimension Drift series. I get an idea: how about doing two prequel novellas before book one proper? No biggie, right?

  Wrong.

  Here’s the deal. I outline the entire series. Then I write prequel novellas one and two, aka SCYTHE and UMBRA. So far, so good. After that, I dive into book one, ALIEN MINDS, aaaaaaaaaaand the writer part of my personality decides it’s time to change a bunch of stuff in the prequels.

  Trouble is, SCYTHE’s already published.

  A fight ensues. The combatants? Author Me versus Business Me. It goes a little something like this …

  Author Me: I shall rewrite SCYTHE.

  Business Me: Forget it! We just released that novella. No one changes stuff that’s already live. Drop that idea right now.

  Author Me: (Sticks fingers in ears) La la la, I can’t hear you.

  Two weeks pass. The la la la-ing never ends. Nothing gets written. Deadlines loom. Panic ensues. Business Me caves.

  Business Me: Fine, do whatever you want.

  Writer Me: Mwah hah h
ah!

  Therefore, this edition is a newly re-written version of SCYTHE (don’t get too excited; there’s still a cliffhanger), and it’s exactly what Writer Me wants. And Business Me admits that the novella kicks WAY more ass this way.

  Hope you think so, too.

  CB