Where could he have gone?
“If we transport them through the tunnels we can take them underground to the City of Magic,” Oss said.
“I spoke to a few of them. They said they have been growing more flesh this past week,” Thorne spoke up. “They need to be taken somewhere safe.”
I shuddered. As happy as I was for them, the idea of growing skin had a high creep factor. “Um, that’s good.”
Oss grinned at me as if he could feel my disgust.
“Their captors haven’t liked it. It’s harder for people to justify using them as slaves if they look completely human,” Thorne chimed in. “After all, if they can enslave these humans, who will be next?”
“Poor slavers,” Oss wiped away a fake tear.
“I’m hoping to make it even harder for them in the future,” I said. Would there be no more gear people born now that I’ve reached my full abilities? Was my mere presence enough to prevent this strange evolutionary quirk?
“I have to wonder if we’re the only city to have this phenomenon,” Justin said, cradling his baby.
I thought back to my readings of history. “That’s a good question. We should ask the prisoners if they’re all from Keys or not.” Before the desert formed, people freely traveled from city to city. It wouldn’t be impossible for there to be mechanicals in other cities.
“I should’ve thought of that.” Justin rubbed the back of his neck and flashed me a self-deprecating grin.
“You’ve had a lot on your mind.”
A high-pitched squeal made Justin smile down at his bundle.
Thorne interrupted the moment. “Let’s get everyone out of here.”
Moving them would be harder than we initially planned. Those who had been in cages the longest had mobility problems. I worried about their chances of making it to the Tower much less down the stairs to the City of Magic. On the other hand, leaving them here would sentence them to death.
“What are you thinking?” Justin asked, rubbing my shoulder with one hand while he snuggled his son in the crook of his other arm.
“I was wondering why they let these people get so damaged. Surely if they’re using them for labor they would want them in good condition.” I couldn’t see the business sense behind this behavior.
“We’re the extras,” a young voice spoke up.
The small girl from before stood a few feet away.
“What do you mean?” Justin frowned.
“We’re too young, or too old, or too ill. If we survive, then they will use us, but if we don’t, then they will dispose of our bodies and wait for the next group to be trained.” She pointed to a darker corner of the warehouse. I didn’t move closer to examine it. Some things I didn’t need to see.
“They just toss you away?” I could barely speak over the fury filling me.
The little girl shrugged with far too much indifference for someone so young. “It’s not like our families wanted us. My mother sold me for a loaf of bread.” The pain in her voice twisted my heart.
“We’ll find you a new home.” Even if she became fully human, I wouldn’t give her back to her unsuitable mother.
“Thank you.” Her words were polite, but her expression spoke louder than words that she didn’t believe me. I couldn’t blame her. If the only people I’d met were a desperate mother who sold me or slavers, I would be cynical too.
I turned my attention back to the others, eager to be on our way before we were spotted.
“Someone’s coming!” a voice shouted. It was too dark to tell who had yelled.
Oss moved everyone into the shadows and turned off Amalia’s light. Those from my group and I went to hide on either side of the entry, ready to ambush anyone who entered.
Affie stumbled through the doorway, his steps uneven and his hair a tangled mess. “The magistrate is on his way.”
Oss’s curses were loud and inventive.
