Time is weird in dreams, so I don’t know how long I’ve been standing at the window of our room looking down at what used to be the God’s Tower stage. I only know the moment when I realize where I am and what I’m doing.
Which is watching an Extraction outside.
Imogen’s Extraction. She’s far down below, but I recognize it because of the blue sphere of spark she makes around her body as she walks through the tower doors.
This scene is superimposed over the ruin, but I can see it quite clearly. Not like it happened ten years ago, but like it’s happening right now in this very moment and I’m up in the tower, looking down on the old Tau City where I used to live.
Everything goes black for a moment.
Then there is another Extraction. And even though I don’t remember what kind of display Marlowe Hughes did when she walked through, I know this is Marlowe.
Another darkness. Another scene change. And yet another Extraction. This time it’s Mabel Paice. It keeps going like this. Darkness. Lucy Fisher. Darkness. Mabel Shaw. Darkness. Piper Adley. Darkness. Brooke Bayford. One by one they walk through the doors and disappear underneath me.
Darkness.
Then nothing.
I lean in, squinting. But there’s nothing but blue mist out there.
“Haryet!” I yell it. Just in case she’s lost. Because she’s next. And I want to see her so bad, but she’s not here. “Haryet!”
Then it all disappears and I find myself sitting up in bed because someone is pounding on our door.
“Yes, everyone agrees that the Godslayer is disgusting. But I find his Courtesan to be the most repugnant woman in the history of females. What a tool she is.”
—Glenda Washington, Dean of Women’s Studies, Dupont College, Phi City University
CHAPTER FORTY
“Hello, son.”Just the sound of my father’s voice is enough to make my whole chest hurt. I wouldn’t call him my best friend. I wouldn’t call him a friend at all, actually. He was myfather. And that’s so much more than a friend.
He was my whole world. And I miss him. It hasn’t even been a full week, but in this moment, I feel like it’s been a thousand years since I talked to him last.
“If you’re watching this…” He pauses to smile and chuckle a little. “Well, things must’ve gone terribly awry. I’m probably dead. But”—he puts up a hand—“don’t worry. If I died trying, it still would’ve been worth it. Because I can’t live with the lies. I did it when I was your age because… well, my father assured me that it was the right thing to do. And I trusted him, just like you trust me. But it’s not the right thing to do and I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I told you otherwise. I’m not going to talk you into it the way he did me. You’re better than that, Finn. You’re better than me. You’re better than any of the other Extraction Masters that came before you. And I am trulyhappy to make that ultimate sacrifice if it means you have the information you need to make a different decision. So if I’m dead right now, know that I did not die in vain. Because you will do what I could not.”
Jasina turns her head to look at me. “What is he talking about?”
“I’m not sure. Just listen. I don’t want to miss anything.”
“What I’m going to tell you now is the truth,” my father says. “And if you tell anyone, they will call it lies. They might even convince you that I’m crazy. Or that you misheard. I hope that your trust in me is still solid. Because the truth is the only way out.
“First of all, the tower. The tower is many things but it is not a god. It’s not alive, it’s not sentient, it’s not in control of anything. You see, the Extraction Master is what controls the tower.”
“What?” Jasina looks at me again. “I don’t understand.”
“Justlisten, Jasina.” I don’t mean to snap at her, but this is too important for interruptions.
“Are you listening, Finn?” my father asks.
Shit. He’s asking me a question. “Am I supposed to answer him?”
“Finn?” My father’s face shows a look of confusion.
I’m so confused. “Is he…in there?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you asking me a question? Am I allowed to talk now?”
I shoot her a look. “Don’t be a child, Jasina. This is important.”
