Instigator: Contributor, #3

By Nicole Ciacchella

The final book in the post-apocalyptic and dystopian young adult/new adult Contributor trilogy.

Disillusioned and angry at the revelation of the Free Thinkers' secret patron, Dara isn't sure whether her decision to join them was the right choice. Guilt over Letizia's loss plagues her, and she feels betrayed by one of the few people in whom she placed her trust.

Adjusting to life outside of the domes hasn't been easy over the past six months, especially because the Free Thinkers' progress is so frustratingly slow. Nothing has changed, and she doesn't know how much longer she can deny her searing need for vengeance, or even whether she should place her faith in the Free Thinkers. The more the truth about both them and the Creators is revealed, the less certain she is that the two are all that different. What if she handed them the incriminating evidence they need to exploit to ensure a future that looks a lot like what the Creators envisioned?

Yet Dara has never been more certain of one thing: the Creators must pay—for what they did to her mother, for what they did to Letizia, and for what they've done to humanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweenix Rising Books
• Release date: Jan 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386965039

Nicole Ciacchella

Nicole has progressed from scribbling in notebooks to banging on keyboards, but she’s never managed to stop daydreaming at inappropriate moments. Born and raised in Michigan, Nicole lives there still with her husband and two wonderful children. When not answering the demands of her characters, Nicole can often be found curled up with a good book or spending far too many hours acting the hero in whatever video game is her obsession of the moment. Nicole rarely meets a genre she doesn't like, and as a result has written contemporary romcoms, fantasy fiction, fairy tale retellings, and dystopian/post-apocalyptic fiction. She's the author of the Fairytale Collection books, the YA/NA crossover Contributor trilogy, and the Astoran Asunder series.

Book preview

Chapter 1

A hot breeze wafted over the plains, kicking up fine granules of grit. Out of force of habit, Dara looked up, gauging the direction of the wind, its force, the color of the sky. When she spared a conscious thought for it, she was amazed by how much she had learned about life in the wasteland in such a short amount of time. Sometimes she felt like she had always lived here, at others she was shocked by how alien a place it seemed. On bad nights she missed the dome's perfect climate, the way she'd never had to worry about freezing, or scorching under the sun's relentless rays. That and the steady supply of food were the only things she missed about the domes, though.

Life in the domes and outside of it was remarkably similar in some respects. Outside, she was engaged in a constant fight for survival, and she ignored things like the weather conditions at her peril. Inside, things hadn't been much different. The fighting had appeared more civilized, maybe, but it was still fighting. She might not have understood the distinction once, but she did now. Civilization was more than the veneer its rules applied.

Storm coming? Javier asked, joining her. He folded his arms over his chest, adopting his usual carefree expression and posture, but she'd come to know he wore it like a mask. Almost everything he did was calculated, and behind his placid exterior was a mind rarely at rest.

I don't think so, she said after studying the sky for a moment longer. Conditions didn't feel quite right for the vicious dust storms that ripped through the area with surprising frequency but little warning. She had developed a healthy respect for them; they were not to be messed with.

Another sabotage mission completed, he remarked. He sounded as if he were satisfied with a day's work well done, but she heard a note of something in his voice, a note that mirrored the disquiet in her own head.

Prick, prick, prick, she said, unable to keep the sarcasm from her tone. Think the Creators will bleed to death anytime soon?

He smiled. Doubtful. Still, I guess we are annoying them and setting back their master plan. They can't be too happy with us about that.

So they have to wait for their toys. Poor dears. Disdain dripped from her words, but the thought didn't make her feel any better. Who cared if they inconvenienced the Creators? Inconveniencing them was the least of what she'd had in mind.

The time isn't right. You must be patient, he said, mimicking Mal's tight voice, making Dara smile despite herself.

I'm really sick of that word.

You're not alone there.

Do you think an actual plan exists?

Depends on which day of the week it is, he said, giving her a crooked smile. He leaned against a rusting beam, seeming unconcerned about it crumbling under his weight. I know they have plenty of plans, I'm just not sure what those plans are and whether they're the plans I'd like them to be.

Raj keeps telling me we can't be rash.

Inertia. I thought the Creators were the only ones who suffered from it. Looks like I was wrong about that.

Rubbing her forehead, she sighed. It made sense to strike at the Creators, delaying the construction of their exclusive dome, stealing valuable materials the Free Thinkers could then use for themselves, but what she couldn't understand was why they hadn't gone public as Mal had said they would. They had the plans for the dome. What more were they waiting for?

Yet she had to admit that gathering more evidence, capturing film of the construction underway, nabbing shots of the Creators who came out to visit did make sense. Plans or no, plenty of Contributors would refuse to see what was right before them; that was human nature. Having lived it for the first seventeen years of her life, she understood that kind of willful blindness very well.

Six months ago, she would have been relieved that the Free Thinkers hadn't yet let the public know the truth about the Creators' plans, but she hadn't anticipated such creeping progress. Time stoked the anger that lived just under the surface of her skin, keeping it at a constant, low simmer. She had spent the long, long months since she'd fled the dome training with the Free Thinkers. She'd had a lot to learn, there was no denying that, and at first sparring with the trainers, with her other mission mates, had helped relieve the strain. The physical exertion had left her exhausted, and combat was more cerebral than she'd expected, requiring her focus and concentration so that she could anticipate her opponent's moves and adjust her strikes accordingly.

From there, she'd progressed to running short missions with Javier, Raj, and Tasha. Occasionally others joined them, but the Free Thinkers preferred to keep teams small to minimize the risk of capture.

Plenty of other things went on behind the scenes too, so it wasn't as if the Free Thinkers had been standing still. Data miners collected and reassembled intelligence siphoned off the Creators' mainframes, teams sabotaged transports to delay the delivery of new building materials and disrupt the Creators' supply chain, and hackers broke into the domes' entertainment systems to plant messages. Mal stressed the importance of sowing the seeds of discord, but knowing their actions were sensible wasn't enough to quiet the rage she could never quite shake. With each day that passed, her impatience threatened to overtake her. She wanted the Creators to pay, and she was tired of waiting for it.

Strange, how normal all this can seem, isn't it? Javier asked, gesturing at the wasteland. I was terrified of this place as a kid. All my mother had to do to keep me in line was mention the word 'Root' and I'd cower and do her bidding.

Dara laughed. I know what you mean. I think every parent had a favorite story they liked to use to keep their kids in line.

I'm not underestimating this place, mind.

Of course not. You don't underestimate anything, as I once recall you telling me.

He smirked. Yeah, I'm full of talk, aren't I? And, yet, I still missed the mark when it came to you.

Directing her gaze back at the desolate landscape, she tried to keep a handle on the pain that flared within her. Mostly because of Letizia.

He was quiet for a long moment, and she wrapped her arms around herself, squeezing hard.

The sad thing is, they'd get used to it after a while, he said. She glanced at him, but he was staring off into the distance, unfocused.

Who would get used to what?

The people in the domes. They'd be angry about the new dome at first, but then they'd get used to it, the same way you and I have gotten used to running around the wasteland.

Shivering, she tightened her arms. You're probably right.

What choice would they have? he asked, his voice lowering, intensifying.

Do you think they'd have other options?

They could stand up, fight.

Would you have done that? she asked, fixing a critical eye on him.

He ran a hand through his hair. They do have choices, he insisted. We all have choices. Isn't that what the Free Thinkers keep telling us?

Do you believe that or not?

I do believe it, but I think we try to convince ourselves that we don't have choices. It's easier that way, easier than admitting that we're usually too lazy or too afraid to go after what we believe is right.

What are you saying, Javier?

Shaking his head, he let out a dry laugh. I don't know, to tell you the truth. I guess I see where Mal and the others are coming from. It takes a lot to make most of us act, wouldn't you agree?

He might have sounded like he was throwing down a gauntlet, but she didn't think he was. They had both needed a great deal of pressure before they'd finally seen what had been before them all along. Family ties had moved them, but they wouldn't move everyone, which was why the Free Thinkers were taking a variety of approaches. Some of the messages they slipped into the domes highlighted the effects on people's children, some appealed to the Ballasts' and Cores' sense of self-preservation, warning of privileges that would be revoked, luxuries that would disappear. In the months since she'd joined, she had learned a great deal about psychology, a word she'd never even heard before she'd fled the domes. The sheer number of ways in which the human mind could be manipulated was staggering.

Jonathan popped into her head. Loving her hadn't been motive enough for him to act, and though that fact no longer had the same power to wound her, it still stung. What would it take to get someone like him to see the truth, to persuade him that he had to act? This task was likely far more monumental than she had allowed herself to believe, but she didn't want to think about that. She wanted to feel like she was doing something, anything, to avenge Letizia, her mother, everyone Magnum had ever made suffer. The question was, what would it take to make her feel that way?

Chapter 2

Feeling better? Raj asked when she and Javier entered the common room.

I'm fantastic, thank you for asking, Javier said, grinning at Raj.

Raj frowned at him. They got along well enough, but he didn't bother hiding the fact that he was wary of Javier. Maybe Dara should have taken her cue from Raj's wariness, but instead it irritated her. Here he was, in the thick of things with the Free Thinkers—who included one of the Creators, no less—and he wasn't sure if he should trust Javier? It made little sense to her.

Her relationship with Raj was a lot more complicated than it had once been. Time had blunted her anger at him, but she still felt betrayed by his keeping so much from her. She had decided to focus her anger where it was due: on the Creators. But that didn't make it possible to overlook that he hadn't trusted her enough to tell her the full extent of the Free Thinkers' plans and Mingyu Zhang's involvement in them. She told herself she was a poor operative if she expected to be privy to all of the Free Thinkers' secrets, but it didn't do much to salve her wounds. Raj was more to her than a fellow operative, he was her friend, and it hurt to think that he might not feel the same way about her. His actions suggested he did, though, making everything even more complicated because, if he was her friend, how could he have betrayed her trust and taken advantage of her?

I'm fine, she said, the words coming out curt in her confusion.

He cringed and developed a sudden interest in the table.

So, boss, Javier said, straddling the chair across from Raj, what's our next mission?

Pulling a face, Raj looked at Javier. He hated it when Javier called him that, something of which Javier was fully aware. No word yet, so, unless I hear otherwise, tomorrow is a training day.

Please tell me we get to do the good stuff.

If by good stuff you mean studying then, yes, you get to do the good stuff.

And here I thought I was all done with school.

You're just beginning to learn things.

You're such a bore when you talk like that.

Believe it or not, some things aren't meant for your amusement, Tasha said, walking into the room. She frowned at Javier. Her opinion of him was a lot less forgiving than Raj's, and she didn't mind making her disapproval apparent. For all their talk of psychology, it never ceased to amaze Dara how poorly the others understood Javier. Like in the domes, he did his best to keep others at arm's length. Dara was the only person he was starting to open up to, though she suspected he was an entirely different guy when he was with his family.

Defense mechanisms, she thought. Raj was fond of talking about them, seemed to think she employed a great many of them.

Promise to read out loud tomorrow and I promise to enjoy school, Javier said, grinning at Tasha. She stared him down, the corners of her lips curving up when he was the first to blink.

You do have a good reading voice, Dara said, trying to call Tasha's attention away. She wondered if every team bickered as much as this team did. Probably not. She doubted the team's makeup passed the usual muster, but she and Javier had insisted on being on the same team. However much the others might doubt his intentions, she trusted him, perhaps more than she trusted anyone else, Raj included. Javier's motives were transparent to her, and while she knew Raj was seeking his own personal redemption, she'd learned he also kept his secrets.

And Javier is always on the up and up, like when he stole your design and passed it off as his own, she reminded herself. She couldn't say why this bothered her less than Raj's keeping secrets from her, but she supposed it was because, while she had come to expect the domes to be a world of pretenses, she had hoped the Free Thinkers might have something more genuine to offer.

Or maybe you just like holding grudges.

Points for effort, Dara, Tasha said. She pulled a water bottle from the small fridge and raised her eyebrows at Dara, who nodded. Tasha tossed her a bottle and Dara took a sip, reveling in the sensation of the water slipping down her dry throat. If there was an upside to the deprivations of life in the bunkers, it was the awareness and gratitude it inspired at the simple pleasures in life.

What about me? Javier asked as Tasha joined them at the table, sipping her water.

You can get your own.

Careful or you might give away how much you like me.

Dara felt Raj's eyes on her and turned to look at him. Any news on the infiltration front?

Evidence of discord in Biotech du Clerc, grumbling in the Desai dome. Magnum has tried to keep a lid on news of Andersen's apartment break-in, but rumors are spreading.

Satisfaction and pain twisted inside her. She'd been afraid Magnum had buried the evidence, and at first this had seemed to be the case, but it appeared Mal had done a good job of getting the word out in the right quarters. She thought of the people who'd sat in the movie theater the night Raj had whispered the plan to her, Contributors she'd never have suspected of being infiltrators, and hoped they would be able to maintain their cover.

What about our friends in Zhang's dome? Javier asked, needling Raj.

Raj didn't bother answering, not that Dara had expected him to respond. Javier knew as well as anyone else it was imperative they keep Mingyu Zhang's involvement in the Free Thinker movement a secret for as long as possible. Mingyu swore she didn't intend to hide in the shadows forever, but time would tell. Dara agreed that it was not the time for Mingyu to reveal her involvement, but she'd believe in Mingyu's sincerity when Mingyu proved it.

Ah, our fearless leader, Javier said as Mal joined them. Of everyone, Mal seemed the least ruffled by Javier, though his reception of Javier wasn't warm either.

Did you get my report? Raj asked him.

I did. Good work out there.

Thanks. You got something for us?

Gabrielle Lagunes has requested a meeting.

Raj's eyebrows all but shot off his forehead. Gabrielle Lagunes? he repeated.

Never thought I'd live to see the day, Tasha said, sitting back in her chair.

Dara exchanged glances with Javier. Who's Gabrielle Lagunes? she asked.

Remember when Ricky told you about that Root collective with the elected chief? Raj's jaw tightened when he said Ricky's name, his eyes clouding with pain, and Dara felt a stone drop into her stomach in response. Thinking about Ricky was difficult.

That's Gabrielle Lagunes?

The one and only, Mal said with a flicker of respect. Apparently, Gabrielle Lagunes had won his esteem.

Roots? Elected chief? Javier asked.

I'll tell you about it later, Dara said.

When and where does she want to meet? Raj asked.

In two days. She'll let us know the location, Mal said.

Tasha frowned. When?

The day of the meeting. Tash, I think you should—

Don't you dare say you want me to sit this one out. You're sending my team, and I'm going to be with my team, she said, her voice lowering to a growl.

Tasha—

Save it, Mal. I'm eighteen—a year older than you were when you started sneaking into the domes and going on missions in the wasteland.

Fury clouded his features. We'll talk about this later.

You'll talk and I'll ignore you, she shot back.

Charming as this episode of sibling discord is, can I pose the obvious question? Javier asked. She won't give us the location until the day of the meeting? How are we supposed to check it out and ensure that it's secure?

We'll have to trust her, Mal said, still staring his sister down, a muscle in his jaw working. Tasha glared back at him.

Let me get this straight: you don't trust the Roots. The Roots don't trust you. Yet we're supposed to walk into this meeting blind? Sounds swell, Javier said.

We've had peace treaties with Lagunes and her followers for years, and they've never broken faith with us, Raj said. Still, it is risky.

Which is why we'll have a backup team shadow you, Mal said.

Raj nodded. I appreciate the vote of confidence, but why us?

She's caught wind of our two new members, and she wants to talk to them.

In other words, she wants to make sure what you've been telling her matches what we have to say, Javier said.

It would appear so.

Count me in. Sounds like a whole lot more fun than studying.

Chapter 3

The deserted training room suited Dara. She took advantage of every opportunity she could to spar against others, but tonight she preferred to do some solo work, the better to chew over everything she'd heard that day. She couldn't deny that she was curious to meet Lagunes. Ever since Ricky had first mentioned her, Dara had been intrigued. She had seen Roots from afar over the course of her months with the Free Thinkers, but this would be her first time meeting one in person.

She wouldn't let her curiosity get the better of her, though. Mal wouldn't risk their security if he didn't feel at least some trust for Lagunes, and while he had continued to argue with his sister for a while, Dara had known he would eventually relent. He hadn't been thrilled with Tasha joining their team, but Tasha was more than capable of taking care of herself. Still, Mal's protective streak for his sister was several miles wide, and it made Dara wonder what their story was. She'd never worked up the courage to ask.

Dragging a dummy onto the mats, she went through the forms her trainers had taught her. Physical fitness had been expected in the domes, but it astonished her how much more powerful she had become since she had started training with the Free Thinkers. She'd never minded exercise in the past, but now she found herself enjoying it, reveling in the soreness she felt after a good workout. She wasn't spoiling for a fight, but it felt good that combat was one arena in which she was no longer helpless, though she knew she still had a lot to learn.

Your form has improved.

Starting, she turned to see Raj leaning against the wall, watching her. She grabbed her towel and swabbed her sweaty forehead, panting for several seconds before she had the breath to speak.

Thanks. Tossing her towel aside, she took a swig of her water. Care to join me?

Pushing off the wall, Raj walked toward her, and she put the bottle back on the floor. Crouching in readiness, she faced him, tracking his movements and waiting for his first strike, which still managed to catch her off guard. Dodging right, she threw up a block, absorbing most of the impact.

How'd you get so fast? she asked, dancing and weaving, careful not to move in a discernible pattern.

Practice. We have a lot in common, you know. I also tended to spend a lot of time in the training room, punishing myself.

She rolled her eyes. Did you come to psychoanalyze me or to spar with me? she asked, throwing a jab that he blocked with little effort. It had been a test, though, and she took advantage of his being off balance to get in a quick hit on his left side.

Wincing, he grinned at her. Both. His body was a blur as he ducked, avoiding her blow. She took a step forward, intending to press him, but he caught her wrist as her hand came up, and then he was behind her, pinning her arm behind her back. He wound his other arm around her shoulders, pressing her against him to immobilize her. His body heat blazed through her shirt, warming her skin, and her heart thumped as she tried to figure out how to break his hold.

That's what I get for being cocky, she sighed, and he chuckled in response. She tried to shake him off, hoping he was distracted, but he wasn't fooled.

Dropping the banter, they sparred for another half hour, until Dara collapsed, begging him for mercy.

Your stamina could still use some work, he remarked, dropping onto the mat next to her and accepting her water bottle when she handed it to him. He was winded and perspiring, but nothing like Dara, who fell back, spread-eagled on the mat as she sucked in as much oxygen as her lungs could hold. The exercise high began to wear off, her mood plummeting with it.

You're not going to make me jog in the wasteland again, are you? she asked.

I'll go with you.

Fine, you win. My stamina does need some work.

Now you know why I always choose to have our talks after we spar.

She laughed, regretting it instantly as her lungs seized. You weren't serious about psychoanalyzing me, were you?

Yes and no.

Raj, I'm fine. I've told you.

And I still don't believe you. He leaned back on his elbows, bringing him closer to her, but he stared up at the ceiling.

You don't believe me, or you wish I wasn't still mad at you?

Both. His jaw tightened and he sighed. I don't know how many other ways I can find to say I'm sorry. To be honest, it's kind of pissing me off that you keep making me try.

"So he can get mad," she said in a dry voice, but she felt a pang of guilt at the hurt