I’d been there the day he lost his tooth. It wasn’t from a fight. Instead, he was kicked in the face by a horse, knocking him out completely. I still didn’t know why he had been trying to wrangle the beast to ride it. But my best guess was a bet made with his friends. He would do anything for money.
I pointed to the single train cabin silently hovering over the sand. “Are you sure this will make it to New City?”
The transport wasn’t new, but the blue, clean energy glowing from underneath the metal slats was steady. It kept the train afloat without wavering as the wind gusted again. I still found it humorous that the corporations had modeled our most common mode of transportation after ancient trains—like the kind of transport that had actually run on rails when the world was once beautiful. It was odd and symbolic of days past when the corporations only looked to the future.
James thumped me on my shoulder. “I wouldn’t put you in danger. This will get you there in plenty of time for your sign up at the Military House.”
I rubbed the shoulder he’d smacked. It was my injured one. “I really can’t thank you enough.”
His smile was sweet. “Never fear. James is always here to rescue a beautiful woman.”
I snorted and lifted my silver bracelet. “And to take her money.”
“That too.” He pressed his bracelet against mine.
I stated loudly, “Order: Transfer two thousand units. Name: James Bartell.”
“Order: Accept two thousand units. Name: Poppy Carvene.”
Our bracelets glowed white in the night before we lowered our arms. My side of the bargain was complete.
James checked his bracelet and nodded. “The transfer is good.” He swung his hand to the train. “She’s all yours for a one-way passage.”
I hesitated, staring at the transport. “Do I need to do anything?” Soldiers always took care of my needs. This was a new experience for me.
He chuckled and shook his head. “No. I’ve already programmed the destination in.” He nudged his shoulder with mine. “Go get ‘em, Poppy. Make me proud.”
I turned and hugged him. “Thank you so much.”
He released me and wiggled the bill of my ball cap. “Don’t be nervous.”
“I’m not.” I straightened up fast.
He waved his hand to the waiting train.
My sneakers dug into the sand as I walked to the black metal stairs, the door already open. When I was at the top of them, I peered back.
“James, remember, my father will probably question you. Tell him I made you do this.”
His smile was amused, staring up at me from the beach. “And he’ll believe it too. Anyone who knows you would believe it.” He waved. “You’ll do just fine. I promise.”
I sucked in a large lungful of salty sea air and then stepped inside the train. The door was heavy to close, but it locked simply enough with a command. I waited only a second before stating, “Go.”
The only indication the train had started to move was the vibration of clean energy thrumming with heavy force under my feet. I lifted the blind covering the lone window and peered outside. The moon sparkled on the ocean’s surface thirty feet below as the train moved over the water.
I dropped my bag on one of the two chairs and grinned at the sandwich on the other seat. James had left me a treat. I pounced on the nourishment and moved behind the seats to the small, simple bed resting against the back wall. The only other part of the cabin was a lone bathroom at the front.
The cushion of the bed sunk only an inch when I sat down. It wasn’t the swankiest transport I’d ever been in, but it was the only one I had ever paid for myself. I started to bite into the sandwich but stalled, my hands halfway to my mouth.
A small head of silver fur poked out from underneath the seat on the left. Silver eyes stared up at my face and silently evaluated my person. Cute pointed ears twitched as I held perfectly still.
It was a fox.
The creature that had been stalking me on the beach had snuck onboard. And this train didn’t stop. Or, at least, I had no freaking clue how to turn it around.
I breathed evenly, searching its eyes for any sign of attack. I was stuck with the little beast until New City—more than five hours away.
I swallowed, and whispered, “Um…hello there.”
