Book of Fire: a debut fantasy perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner. Michelle Kenney

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СКАЧАТЬ his hand. ‘Let’s see how many rabbits we can count along the way.’

      His mother smiled gratefully as she fell in next to us, and I recognized her as Nina from the other side of the village. Her husband had accidentally disturbed a hibernating bear in the outside forest a couple of years ago. He’d never walked, or spoken, again.

      ‘Grandpa?’ I asked Mum with raised eyebrows. I already knew her answer.

      Grandpa was weak, but had become increasingly stubborn when it came to village summons. He said his presence was a distraction for the new leadership, and not being answerable was a precious perk of his advanced age. He wasn’t relinquishing it to anyone.

      ‘Maybe later.’

      She spoke briefly and her strained expression said it all.

      We arrived at the Ring within minutes, and joined the steady line of villagers filing silently down the tunnel into the lantern-lit circle of stones. The cavern was only about ten metres deep into the mountain, but its cold, dank atmosphere made it feel a million miles away from our treehouse. There were about six hundred of us, and we filled the empty space with ease.

      Four sentries were positioned at the exit, and I felt a small surge of comfort even though they would be no match for an aircraft Eagle, should one ever penetrate the mountain range. I watched as Max and two of his tall friends lit extra lanterns, and I pressed myself into Mum’s warmth.

      A hush fell across the arena as a small, elderly man stepped up onto the flat boulder used only for public addresses.

      Art was our elected Village Leader, and had accepted the reins from Grandpa three years before. The Council held annual open elections, but Grandpa had been re-elected as Leader for nearly forty consecutive years before ill health forced him to stand down.

      Tonight, Art smiled calmly around at the anxious crowd as two Elder members of the Village Council joined him on the flat stone. Then he turned a dial on a small black box, and the perimeter alarm disappeared.

      ‘My friends.’ He spoke with a quiet air of authority. ‘Thank you for your calm and rapid response to our intrusion alert. Our detectors suggest that at least one Sweeper, perhaps two, have infiltrated our designated perimeter. We have also detected large unidentified animal life in the area.

      ‘In accordance with Arafel’s Emergency Plan, we will deploy a small fact-finding task force immediately. Please will those nominated assemble on the west side, and move down to the side chamber where there will be a quick briefing.’

      I threw a swift glance around the crowd as various villagers hugged their loved ones before making their way over towards a small cavernous antechamber. I clenched my fingers knowing they were all thinking the same thing. That they might not return. Then Max dismounted casually from a boulder to near the exit and I felt an odd coldness creep into my stomach. He threw a brief wink in my direction as he passed.

      ‘Eli Hanway is also requested to join the task force.’

      It was impossible to miss the mandatory edge to Art’s voice, and I caught my breath. It was completely understandable of course. Eli was easily the best person to manage any unidentified animal life, but he was also vulnerable – and my brother. I scowled at Mum. Her gaze was fixed on Art, though she squeezed my hand until the whites of her knuckles gleamed in the cavern’s flickering light.

      ‘The initial task force will be deployed in fifteen minutes; all community members are requested to remain here until we have gathered more information.’

      As Eli joined the others inside the antechamber, Art inclined his head to signify the short meeting was at an end.

      ‘Grandpa?’ I whispered.

      Mum shook her head, although I already knew he wouldn’t consider coming to the Ring for the duration of the task force operation. Just as my brain started processing numerous persuasive strategies, none of which were likely to have success, a familiar voice echoed across the cavern.

      ‘Apologies for the interruption, Art, but I believe you might – despite your undoubted wisdom – have overlooked something.’

      His authority was unmistakable, even at his age.

      ‘Grandpa?’ I asked incredulously, craning my neck as the crowd parted to let a stooped figure shuffle slowly into the centre of the Ring.

      ‘George!’ Art’s voice was full of equal care and surprise. ‘What concerns do you have, my oldest friend?’

      There was a hush as Grandpa pulled an old oblong item, wrapped in Mum’s shawl, from under his arm. He unwrapped it with shaking hands, and held it up above his head for everyone to see. A murmur of surprise ran through the crowd and I shivered. It was the Book of Arafel. Grandpa rarely took it out at home, let alone in public. It was just too precious.

      With slow ponderous actions, Grandpa opened the dusty tome, cleared his throat and began to read aloud: ‘In accordance with Article 8562 Procedures in an Emergency, all task forces should include an original member of the Council of Arafel in preference, or his/her replacement.’

      ‘Old friend, this requirement has not been overlooked,’ Art interjected gently. ‘I intend to accompany the task force.’

      Grandpa’s shrewd gaze was unwavering. ‘The Article states all task units should comprise Arafel’s core pillars: strength, skill, speed, and experience. It’s no secret I learned how to negotiate with Insiders from my grandfather, as he learned from Thomas himself,’ he continued in a steely voice. ‘There’s a skill to communicating with them, Art, for – despite our shared heritage – they are not our kind. You are needed here, and I am of Thomas’s bloodline, the eldest remaining. You must let me go, in preference.’

      A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Disagreement was rare in Arafel, let alone among such senior Council members.

      ‘No, Grandpa!’ my voice rang out, sounding high and unnatural in the cavernous space. Dozens of eyes swung my way, and Grandpa’s face relaxed for a second.

      ‘It is the right way, Talia,’ he reassured me, his voice softer. ‘You know what to do.’

      I watched wretchedly as he made his way slowly through the crowd to pass me the wrapped book.

      ‘Protect it with your life, and one day you might know its secrets,’ he whispered, hugging me and Mum tightly, before shuffling towards the antechamber. Art looked undecided for a second, and then slowly nodded his defeat. Grandpa was elderly, but also universally loved and respected as an Elder with direct connection to the original founding father. No one here would support a challenge.

      I glanced helplessly at Mum’s ashen profile. Grandpa was so weak. I couldn’t even see how he would survive the exit from our village, he hadn’t been outside in a decade. I knew Eli would look out for him, but if Eli was looking out for Grandpa, no one was looking out for Eli. I bit my lower lip until I tasted the faint bitterness of blood, it did nothing to still the panic inside.

      ‘Tal … Talia?’ Mum’s terse voice sounded distant, as though she were calling through a thick fog.

      ‘You must take the book; it can’t stay here. It’s too precious.’

      I stared blankly for a moment, before the full force of her words hit me. I held the most precious item in СКАЧАТЬ