Everlife. Gena Showalter
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Название: Everlife
Автор: Gena Showalter
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Детская проза
isbn: 9781474074667
isbn:
“I’ve got you.” Archer turns his zebra around, comes up beside me, and hauls me up.
We jump from the dais. The gasping crowd parts, allowing us to land without causing or sustaining injury. The crowd continues to part as we gallop away. No one wants to be mowed down.
Wind in my hair, a friend at my back. What a rescue! In front of us, Clay, Reed and Raanan are sitting atop zebras of their own. One after the other, we blaze through a Stairwell, then a Gate and end up in the Tower of Might, where destruction from the recent attack is rampant.
One of the riderless zebras turns and enters the Gate we just exited.
—I’m on my way, Killian.—
I wait, tense, but no response comes in. Did something happen to him?
The dog keeps pace beside us. “Message your Clementine, tell her to hide us in the Eye. The one who left us, he is erasing our tracks.”
“First things first. Why are you helping us?” Archer asks.
I don’t need a reason. I obey, sending the requested message.
The dog’s tongue is hanging out as he pants, and yet, he looks like he’s smiling again. “The girl. Number ten who should be number one. I’m her guardian.”
He’s mine? Truly?
His gaze flicks to me. “You’re overwhelmed, I know. You accept me. I get it. No need to gush.”
I’m the one smiling this time. “Maybe I can gush a little? It’s clear I got the best of the bunch.”
He preens. “You did, didn’t you?”
“No question,” I say. “What is your name? And how did you get all these other animals to aid us?”
“I’m Biscuit.” He flashes his teeth in the most mischievous expression I’ve ever beheld. “The others volunteered. That’ll teach the citizens to reject us.”
Yes. Yes, it would. “Is it rude of me to ask about your breed? I’m guessing pit bull, but I want to be sure.”
“Why?” he snaps. “So you can tell me I’m too dangerous and—”
“So I can wear the right I heart my dog T-shirt.”
He snorts. “I sneaked a smell of your butt when you weren’t looking, so we’re past rude, I’m thinking. I’m a mutt. A mix of everything, but mostly pit bull, shitzu and...poodle.” He grumbles the last, as if it’s a shameful secret.
I press my lips together. Do not laugh. “Poodles are the worst of the worst, huh?”
He snaps his teeth at me, and I can’t stop my laugh this time.
“I’m foaming at the mouth with envy right now,” Archer says, and I swear he’s almost pouting. “I want a guardian animal.”
“You have one,” Biscuit says. “She’s waiting for you at our destination, guarding the Myriadian.”
He rubs his hands together with glee. “What is she? A bear? Lion? Cheetah?”
“No, she’s worse. Her name is Beast.”
My dog—mine!—says no more, but no other words are needed. Archer is vibrating with eagerness.
As we whiz past a pile of rubble, my amusement fades, and sadness swells inside of me. All this debris... How many citizens did we lose? At least I can stop wondering about Nico. He may hate me, for whatever reason, but at least I know he isn’t trapped.
I also ache for the realm itself. The Tower of Might used to be a treasure trove of skyscrapers and arenas. A blend of futuristic and ancient Rome.
General Levi Nanne trained me in this city. He taught me how to enter and remain inside a Shell, which is a lot more difficult than it looks. He forced me to run for hours at a time, building my stamina. Mostly, he showed me that it’s okay to ask for help. Knowing your limits doesn’t make you weak—it makes you wise. And here...here is where Killian saved my life.
Myriad armies surrounded the realm, their shadows obscuring our outer Light. Victor—Archer’s younger brother—lured me here in order to kill me. If Killian hadn’t fought his own men outside the realm, allowing a beam of Light to shine through, strengthening me, Victor would have succeeded.
Poor Archer. He must know about his baby bro, and oh, it must hurt.
“Archer—” I begin.
“Tell me about Killian,” he demands. “About the bond.”
I’d say I can’t catch a break, but I’m currently on the back of a zebra, escaping an enraged mob. “I thought you knew everything already. And what’s your new beef with him? I asked before, but you never got a chance to answer.”
“I learned some things while I was in the Rest. Things he did to hurt others.”
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