City of Shame Part One (Fields of Elysium, #3)

By A.B. Whelan

When life gives you no choice other than to be strong or perish, you soon learn who you really are...

"Ever since I finished Valley of Darkness, I was desperate to read City of Shame. And boy did this book deliver. While this novel in the Fields of Elysium is short (155 pages), it packs a major punch and will leave you begging for more! The action is nonstop, and the adventure runs rampant." Cassie, Goodread Review

"This 3rd book in the "Fields of Elysium" series is full of action, adventure, romance, revelations, and so much more. It was wonderful to travel back to one of my favorite places: Arkana." Alicia, Goodread Review

"I was hanging on the edge of my seat throughout the whole thing (which only took me two days to read)." Bryce, Goodread Review

"Rife with danger and thrill and memories and laughter. Probably my favorite of the series to date. Wow . . . Brilliantly crafted and wonderfully presented Arkana is like no other..." Danielle, Goodreads Review

Since discovering the wormhole that connects Earth to Arkana, Molly Bennett faced joy and pain, love and death, excitement and danger unlike anybody else she knew. But her biggest challenge is about to begin. She is inside the force field, lost in Terraka City with people she doesn’t know. Life is more dangerous under Taronno’s tyranny than she and her Arkanian friends anticipated. Time is running out and she must figure out whom to trust, how to stay safe, and how to get back to her beloved Victor.

Victor Sorren’s life changed the moment Molly showed up on Arkana. His love for her came easy, but admitting it to her took every bit of courage he had. Obstacles always threatened to tear them apart, but together they overcame all of them. Now, Molly is gone and Victor doesn’t know how to deal with his worry and loneliness. Going after her would mean certain death, but this is the price he is willing to pay to see her again.

The race against time has begun. Will Molly be able to find her way back to Victor before it’s too late?

A.B. Whelan's third book of the romantic fantasy Fields of Elysium series is another highly imaginative tale, a fast paced story about the power of love and human nature.

Books in the Series:
Safe and Sound (prequel)
Fields of Elysium (Book One)
Valley of Darkness (Book two)
City of Shame (Book Three)
Return to Innocence (Book Four)

Listen to the Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbli-Id2LYzIol7M0mYteIuDG2QbEzUs_

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.B. Whelan
• Release date: Apr 22, 2015

Book preview

CITY OF SHAME

Part I

Fields of Elysium Saga

Book III

A.B. Whelan

Smashwords Edition

InMotion Capitol

Copyright © 2014 Andrea Bizderi Whelan

All rights reserved.

City of Shame is a young-adult romantic fantasy and science fiction.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

DEDICATION

For the amazing book bloggers, reviewers, and enthusiastic fans of the series.

Thank you for your time and support.

Also Available in the series

Fields of Elysium (book one)

Book one is free. Download it now and read it in seconds.

Valley of Darkness (book two)

Safe and Sound (prequel novella)

"All of us are capable of great compassion and love or hatred and horror.

Sadly, we can take joy from both."

- David Gemmell

Prologue

It’s me. Anna.

Look who’s crawled out of the foxhole. I was beginning to wonder if you were dead.

It’s getting harder to get hold of a secure line. I don’t have much time but I had to call you…. David, remember my stories about the Special One? The Redeemer? Well, the time has come. My people will be saved soon.

The line went silent. The phone almost slipped from Anna’s hand. For a moment she thought the Terrakan rebel hung up on her.

You know I don’t have time for old wives’ tales. I have a camp full of people to take care of, David said at last, drawing in a deep breath. Anna could visualize his face twisting with irritation. Did you get the medicine I asked for?

Didn’t you hear what I said, David? The Redeemer has finally returned to us. It’s time.

Oh, come on, Anna. Spare me. I don’t understand how you can even believe this nonsense after so many years—After what we’ve been through?

I’ve never stopped believing. We must meet, David.

His irritated mumble told Anna that David had no patience today with her beliefs; he never had.

How do you know it’s him? the young man asked, his tone screaming his disbelief.

The signs. Twisted vines and thorns. As the prophecy foretold. I saw them, David. I’m so excited I can hardly breathe.

A sigh of annoyance came through the receiver. Fine. If it means so much to you, bring him to me. I’ll have Ben take a look at the guy. And don’t forget to bring the medicine.

Anna closed her eyes for a moment, imagining the day when men and women were allowed to follow their hearts, mothers to raise their own children, children to play together, men to die from natural causes instead of beatings.

Give me three days, and I’ll meet you at our spot at the usual time. And, David?

What? David grunted.

We were wrong. The Redeemer is not a he. It’s a she.

1

Victor

The water splashed and ring waves rippled over the silvery surface of the lake as I pulled out the Revocator.

Dammit, Pete, I grumbled, shaking the water off the device. I was kneeling on the shore by the lake that ringed Terraka City, the same place I saw Molly last. The sun had already ducked behind the giant force field and lit up the city of shame. The sparkling reflections of the emperor’s palaces were more visible now than at any other time of the day, yet the material of the force field was thick and opaque, and I couldn’t make out any specific shapes. The glistening wall stood between Molly and me like a supernatural, evil construction. I hated the Terrakas now more than ever.

I could picture her running through the woods, the bow I crafted and a set of arrows bouncing against her back; the small, oval-shaped bruise on her lower back where the bow smashed against her spine; the faint discoloration that always appeared on her skin after a day of hunting or training. I used to rub Ulka de Tino’s thick, herbal cream into the bruise to ease her discomfort. It reeked of compost but took the pain away like a miracle. Did she have that bruise now?

It was getting dark. Perhaps she had a camp set up already. Maybe she was sitting by the fire she built, skinning a squirrel or rabbit for dinner. Three days were a long time inside the force field. She might have even made it into the inner city and found allies. Was she safe? Hungry? Scared?

I tore my eyes away from the enemy’s land, opened my bag, and dropped in the Revocator. I pulled up Little Pete’s number on my AB.

Little Pete was one of those ironic names people give to emphasize a physical deficiency, like calling a one-eyed man Eagle Eye Joe. Little Pete was anything but small. Jenkins Industries rescued some Terrakan children from Terraka City before the Prophet’s Sentinels initiated the force field—the impenetrable bubble ensnared everybody inside, invaders and slaves alike. Little Pete was one of those Terrakan children. He was a tech genius, a huge asset to the inventing company that specialized in new technology. After he moved into a small house near the beach on the Jenkins family estate, he never left. He spent most of his free time in a virtual world he designed for himself. In spite of his antisocial behavior, he was funny and generous. Without his gadgets we’d never have had a chance to sneak into Terraka City via an underwater tunnel. I was grateful for Pete’s help at the time, but now that days had gone by since I heard from Molly, I wished he hadn’t been able to help us. Without proper equipment, Molly would never have embarked on this suicide mission.

Little Pete picked up after the second ring. Victor, my man. What’s up?

This Revocator you gave me doesn’t work, Pete. The fish don’t come to me.

It has to work. I tested it a dozen times. Maybe there aren’t any messages from Molly yet.

My jaws clenched hard and the air stuck in my lungs from the pain. There have to be messages. She’d never leave me hanging like this.

Are you sure you’re using it right? Pete’s voice was even, not a hint of panic.

Can you just come out to the lake and check it out? It was a long shot, but I had to ask.

A munching noise with rhythmical huffing and puffing filled the next few seconds. I could imagine Pete sitting in his rotating chair in the dirty T-shirt he had been wearing for at least five days; jelly and chocolate stains on the once white but now light tan fabric; crumbs falling from his pastry and landing on his bulging chest and fat belly; mice scattering around to vacuum up the leftovers off the dirty floor.

Sorry, Victor. No can do. I’m allergic to fresh air. Just bring it back to me. I’ll take a look at it. But as I said, I’m sure it’s fine. A weak burp punctuated the last sentence.

Maybe there’s a glitch, I fished, because any other option was better than thinking the unthinkable. I could never forgive myself if something bad happened to Molly.

I got one more prototype I have to run some tests on for Jenkins, but drop by after sunset, and I’ll open up that little baby. The munching resumed. The sound made me hungry. The last thing I ate was a piece of meat and a baked sweet potato in Ulka de Tino’s hut last night.

Will do. Thanks, Pete.

You bet.

I almost hung up when Pete’s calling stopped me.

Come again.

I said, What if there’s nothing wrong with my device?

I didn’t need time to think the answer through. Then I’ll go after Molly.

I disconnected the call. With a disappointed heart, I looped my leg over the seat of the Ducati and pushed the crystal into the ignition. A gush of wind swept over me. The hair on my arms stood up in alarm. The feeling was familiar. Molly’s fingers used to cause the same sensation when they ran over my arm in a slow motion, barely touching my skin. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I missed her so bad my mouth went dry and a scraping feeling developed in my throat as if dark arms of my heartache were crawling out of my chest.

My mother died after giving birth to me. For almost eighteen years I believed that my father was dead, too. The unconditional love of the Sesmars who raised me wasn’t enough for me to quench the hatred in my heart. Then Molly came along and everything changed. She became my other half. My moral compass. My best friend. I loved everything about her—that crazy curly hair, the freckles, the dimples on her cheeks…

For so long she had been part of my every day life. I always knew where she was and what she was doing. This…not-knowing was killing me. Had she been captured? Killed? Tortured? The possibility of vicious Terrakan men touching her kept lingering in my mind, and I couldn’t block the image. Every day, every minute, I wasted eating, talking, and sleeping seemed excruciating. Nothing mattered except hearing from her and knowing she was ok.

At the push of a button a protective field enclosed around me and the Ducati. I took one last look at Terraka City. With every passing minute the entire island grew more ominous and gray in the fading sunlight. My AB beeped, startling me. Roger’s name on the display made my stomach twitch. Shit! Shit! Shit! I grunted, knowing exactly what I forgot.

You’re an asshole. You know that, right? Roger blurted out as soon as I answered his call.

Oh, shit! I’m so sorry, brother. I completely forgot. I’ve been so wrapped up in this … this stuff.

What stuff? You’ve been saying the same thing for days now.

You know, with the academy and stuff. I can’t really tell you. But…uh, happy birthday, man.

Don’t even try. Get your ass over here. Everybody else is here.

I can’t now, Roger. I’m sorry. But I’ll make it up to you. I promise.

What can be more important than your best friend’s birthday party? Weston was my best friend.

Okay, how about this. Next week I’ll take you to the Cheho. I’ll get you some girls. Just you and me. What do you say?

Not good enough. You’d never miss Weston’s party. It’s not cool, man, Roger complained.

Pete was expecting me in an hour. Maybe it gave me enough time to stop by the Jenkins family’s restaurant, The Tirus’s Kitchen, and join the boys for the celebration. I needed to grab a bite anyway. Besides, I could use a distraction. Until Pete checked the Revocator and confirmed that it worked, I wasn’t going to go after Molly anyway. As a matter of fact, entering Terraka City should be my last option. I was half Arkanian and half Terraka. My blood would set off the alarms in the city, and if Molly weren’t in trouble yet, then I would definitely bring heat on her. I needed a smart plan where I stay alive long enough to find her. All this pondering on an empty stomach lowered my blood sugar, and my head started spinning.

You’re right, I breathed into the AB. I am an asshole. I’ll be there in ten.

Now that’s the Victor I like, Roger chuckled, the nervous vibe gone from his voice. But Victor, leave your earthling words where you’re at now. My mother keeps nagging me for the slang I’ve been using thanks to you.

What words?

See, you don’t even notice it anymore. Maybe you should stop visiting the archives for a while. You’re starting to sound like an Earthling.

You think so? I didn’t notice.

As I said, stop watching that stupid Earthling footage. Don’t forget which side you’re on.

A sudden surge of anger rose in my chest. I don’t need you to remind me, Roger. I know where my loyalties lie.

I pressed the off button so hard that the AB hit the bone on my wrist. Just because I was interested in Earth history didn’t mean I’d forgotten who I was. I loved a girl from Earth, a trespassing alien on our planet, but our relationship hadn’t changed my allegiances. Those merciless Terrakas killed my mother and drove my father insane. I’d never forget that. I’ve dedicated my entire life to the Sentinels, the only military force we Arkanians had. We’ve been preparing to fight the invaders from Earth. For the love of the Almighty, I even allowed my girlfriend to help our cause with this extremely dangerous mission. How dare Roger doubt me! He cared about nothing else but girls and working out. He never gave a thought to what our race had to endure for centuries.

Irritated, I began ascending. The bright turquoise light on my aircraft turned on, shining off the pearl black body. There was a time when I loved flying through the woods on my Ducati, testing my senses and feeling invincible. Now it was only a mere tool to satisfy my needs, nothing more than a transportation device. I turned toward the woods to get to Tirus and join Roger’s party when I spotted the Prophet’s black Araneavi hovering over the forest line. The hatch dropped down with a hissing sound and a uniformed Sentinel Apprentice appeared in the doorway and beckoned me to move closer.

Take her down, he yelled, pointing at a small clearing. The Prophet needs to talk to you.

2

Molly

I woke to the relaxing strains of instrumental music. The air was pleasantly warm, scented with a hint of nature, not really flowery; more like tree bark and fresh leaves. I lay unmoving, with my eyes closed. Not a single thought bounced around inside my skull. I felt weird, out of character, so I tried to concentrate on my feelings. Why did my eyes refuse to open? Could I have been that exhausted, or was it depression keeping me in bed? Was I even in a bed? The scent of the air suggested that I was outdoors somewhere, but then shouldn’t I hear birds chirping and insects buzzing? Shouldn’t I feel the wind tickling my skin? Despite the calmness that kept me still, I longed to regain control over my