Each of us moved quickly from there, grabbing signs and lacing our boots. We all wore old, faded brown cloaks, our hair and much of our faces concealed beneath the stretched hoods.
“Optimism,” Az mumbled beside me, poking my ear.
I laughed, nodding. “Yes, sir.”
“Save that for later.”
“Gross,” Priya grumbled, pushing between us to make her way to the front door.
Sighing, Az grabbed my hand, tugging me outside. We all huddled together, the wind whipping our cloaks around us as we readied.
“Remember everyone,” Az said, his voice muffled in the fierce chill, “don’t die.”
With that, his shadows twirled around us, encompassing our bodies in darkness before transporting us to the alleyway Desi had marked on the map. It was dark and damp, the cold far less bone-deep. Both sides of the path stretched on farther than most, the buildings so tall I had to tilt my head all the way back to see the tops.
“From here, let’s stick to pairs. When the officials come, we take them out as inconspicuously as possible. If you see an elite, just run. Shadow walk back to my cottage when it’s safe. That will be where we all meet up. Got it?”
Each of us nodded to Az, Priya grabbing Caleb’s hand immediately. Zura looked wide-eyed at Quinn, who smiled at her warmly and placed an arm over her shoulders.
“I’ve got you, Zucchini, don’t worry,” Quinn said, shaking Zura slightly.
“Zucchini?” was all she managed to say. I bit back laughter as she stared up at him with a pinched face.
“Your name starts with Z and your eyes are green. It actually makes perfect sense.”
“Focus,” Az ordered, squeezing my hand tighter. “We stay no more than one hour.”
This time, he didn’t wait for the others to agree. He only began walking down the alleyway, pulling me along. Nervous, I yanked my hood down further, praying to those damn stars that we wouldn’t be noticed.
As soon as we exited the alley, it was immediately apparent that a protest loomed. Much like the ones that occurred in my district, the entirety of the space had gone eerily quiet. Amongst the winding path of buildings stood eadi, their heads down and hoods on.
Those who did move were nearly silent, their fleeing forms all the more noticeable amongst the stillness. My mind strayed, recalling my last birthday. Celeste had lumped me in with all shaytan, suggesting I was a part of the problem. As I readied for a fight, I couldn’t help but acknowledge how right she had been.
Azazel stopped us at a darker corner, keeping his head down as we tucked the signs against the wooden wall. I watched from beneath my hood as more people got into place, the entirety of the zigzagging square filled with protesters.
Then I saw her.
Commander Maitoza walked slowly to the uneven center, where a towering, wooden set of gallows big enough to fit half a dozen people loomed. She looked regal, even in clothes so clearly meant to be discreet, her chin low but presence bright. Boots clicking against the cobblestone, she seemed to arrive upon a beat set to a war ballad. It was chilling watching her look up, her dark eyes finding mine even in the crowd. Though she held no sign, every set of eyes were on her as she ascended the wooden steps, the platform weeping beneath the weight of her palpable rage.
“What will be yours when you’ve taken our lives?” she began when she reached the top, her voice echoing off the scattered buildings.
“If we die, so do you,” the protesters added, creating a breathy, deep harmony behind the commander’s melody of fury.
“What will you have when you’ve slaughtered our children? What will you be when you’ve killed all your servants? What will you hear when you’ve stolen our voices? What will remain when you’ve destroyed your own world?”
A thunderous pounding started up, the stomping coming from all across the area. Reluctantly, I added my voice to the chant, keeping the low tone. Simultaneously, Az and I raised our signs, his readingour gory deaths will bring your slow ones.
Stars above, Caleb hadn’t held back.
The sounds grew louder and louder, my ears aching as we followed the crowd, converging on Commander Maitoza. Eadi who were obviously civilians stood amongst the outer ring of protesters, many of them looking around with flighty eyes and shaking limbs. After a few rounds of chants, I caught sight of a handful of the bystanders beginning to nod, some of them daring to join in.
Each person in the crowd somehow knew that the tide was changing, with a sort of charged energy overtaking the square as Commander Maitoza raised both of her fists into the air and started screaming the words to her chant. Shoving began, shouts growing louder. Despite the movement, Azazel kept us steady, holding me tightly as he stared wide-eyed at the protesters.
Within moments, everything changed.
Officials darted through the random passageways, their blue uniforms making them look like waves from the ocean as they barreled into the square. Screams erupted, many eadi—including protesters holding signs—dispersing. Yet, not all ofthem ran. Many clearly began readying for a fight, scowls and bared teeth and glaring eyes waiting for the officials.
Az and I looked at one another for a split second, his nod the only signal I needed to drop my sign and do an about-face, my sights set on an official that grabbed a small, young man, who yelped in pain as the official gripped his face and squeezed. Silver-tinted clouds leaked from the official’s hand, pouring over the young man’s head.
