Katalye: The Lumiere Trilogy, #3

By Belinda Stott

The end of the world begins in Katalye…

Python, Terminalle's deadly virus, finally has a cure. But the news Juniper and Saxon receive out of nearby Katalye is devastating. Lazaran, leader of the Primates cult, has adapted the virus to make it contagious. In less than a week, he plans to infect three martyrs to initiate a deadly global pandemic.

Gathering a team and infiltrating Katalye is easy. Locating the virus and saving Lazaran's first victims is not. Evading the Primates while dealing with brainwashed assassins, truth serums and the heartbreaking disappearance of one of their own, slows the search. And if time runs out, the consequences are certain to be fatal.

While two dangerous rulers vie for ultimate power over life and death, members of Saxon's Resistance struggle to unify, grieve their losses and forgive their oppressors in Katalye, the city that contains the world's deadliest virus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Belinda Stott
• Release date: Sep 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201355951

Belinda Stott

Belinda Stott is a novelist, counselor and international speaker. With her husband Matt, she runs a course called Soul Tour which combines psychology, philosophy and theology to help young adults better understand their own mind, emotions and behavior.  A prolific traveler (81 countries and counting), Belinda reads obsessively, loves fairs, Jacuzzis, castles and feisty heroines, and watches movies which inspire her to create high-stakes stories that visit other worlds and kingdoms. She is particularly passionate about sagas that bypass the mundane to explore what God and life are really all about, describing her style as a blend of spy stories like 24, Alias and the Bourne novels, with a sprinkle of Narnia and the intensity of a Ted Dekker novel. Belinda lives in Christchurch, New Zealand with Matt and their two creative, adventurous kids, Jasper and Scarlett, (who cameo in Kainnan: The Uncovering).  Find out more about Kainnan and Belinda's upcoming, cult-based trilogy at Belindastott.com.

Book preview

Dedication

To God, who has been so trustworthy to me throughout my entire life. And to my husband, who constantly seeks to follow in His footsteps. I love you both.

ALSO BY BELINDA STOTT

The Lumiere Series

Lumiere

Terminalle

Katalye

The Kainnan Series

The Prize

The Uncovering

The Switch

Redemption

The Challenge

The Kainnan Wager Series

Brave

True

Pure

Free

Acknowledgements:

There would be far less point to writing if no one wanted to read it (though I would still write for fun anyway!) So a huge thank you to all my readers, particularly those who’ve sent me feedback over the years on my Kainnan series—hearing how my books have impacted you all in different ways has been a massive encouragement for writing The Lumiere Trilogy .

To my wonderful friends (you know who you are!) You make my life richer and full of joy. You love me and encourage me as a writer. Thank you.

Scarlett and Jasper, thanks for understanding the times I disappear to write. I hope you’ll read all my books (when you’re old enough) and they’ll inspire you to keep on getting to know God better and better.

Matt, my beloved, this series wouldn’t exist without your backing. Your willingness to champion my passion for writing is incredible. That you would encourage me to keep creating, despite the time and financial cost to us as a family, speaks of how selfless and supportive you are. I am beyond grateful I married a man who understands my need to put stories out into the world and helps facilitate that—even though you don’t read novels yourself!

Doreen, even despite seeing all your adjustments over my last two books, I still get confused over where commas are missing and where semi-colons are needed. Being able to understand grammar is a talent and you certainly have it! So thank you for all your input.

Suz, I’ve said it before; I’ll say it again. I have striking book covers because of your generous willingness to make them and to put up with numerous adjustments as we went along. The books are also beautifully laid-out thanks to your talent. Thank you!!

Erin, I am so grateful for how much input you gave me as I created The Lumiere Trilogy. Not just during our fantastically helpful monthly sessions, where I was able to brainstorm character development and plotlines with you, but also all the questions you were happy to answer in between too. You have such an incredible gift for retaining someone else’s story that your suggestions and ideas never felt discordant. Indeed, many found their way into my plotlines. I certainly hope to work with you for many novels yet to come.

I started this series for two reasons. Firstly, because I am so interested in the workings of cults, I thought they would be intriguing to write about. But second and more importantly, because my biggest passion in life is helping others understand what God is really like, beyond the barriers we, others and life erect between him and us. For that reason I want to thank the many, many people that have helped me understand God better. The people whose books I have read and stories I have listened to, those who have prayed for me, taught, challenged, counselled and inspired me.

And, of course, I am beyond grateful that God would keep revealing more of himself to me.

Character List

From Terminalle:

Juniper

Romain: Juniper’s boyfriend

Saxon: Head of the Resistance

Loki: Resistance leader/Saxon’s close friend

Enzo: Resistance leader

Samar: Resistance leader/Saxon’s close friend

Danton: Working with the Resistance to protect Juniper

Ricardo and Alex: Moretti men, sent to Katalye with the Resistance

Savannah: Ex-Resistance leader

Estiana (deceased): Ex-Lumiere follower/scientist

Alice: Romain’s sister

Lucy (deceased) and Sophie: Alice’s children/Romain’s nieces

Lucius: Ex-ruler/dictator of Terminalle

Mikhail and Arylene Moretti: Heads of the Moretti family

Queen: Leader of the Imperials

From Lumiere:

Alaric: Ruler of Lumiere, current dictator of Terminalle

Cressida: Alaric’s wife

Sarah: Alaric’s most devout follower

Paul: Alaric’s top Royal Elite guard

Hadassah: Imprisoned by Alaric

Asher: Hadassah’s beloved

Mirna: Alaric’s hypnotist

Eliza, Berenice, Bathsheba, Eunice, Zeruiah, Dinah: Hypnotized assassins

From Katalye:

Sabine

Lazarus: Ruler of Katalye, Sabine’s father

Martha: Lazarus’s wife/Sabine’s mother

Joaquim: Sabine’s best friend

Rubion: Lazarus’s guard/Joaquim’s friend

Dane: Lazarus’s main guard

Previously in Terminalle...

Not content with merely ruling his own city, Lumiere, cult-leader Alaric began systematically taking over Terminalle too. His guards gained control of the virus-suppressing water, which resulted in Python escalating rapidly among the most vulnerable. His followers started roaming the streets, converting people to his twisted religion. Multiple ceremonies enforced Alaric’s wishes as he searched for allies to manipulate too.

At the request of the Resistance, Juniper returned to Alaric, faking devotion while gathering any information that could help oust him. It was a heavy price to pay, however, for Alaric took great pleasure in manipulating her. As well as having her unknowingly deliver poisoned water to the Resistance hospital, leading to multiple deaths, he also made her choose three people to die in his Winnowing Ceremony and forced her to whip her friend Hadassah.

While struggling with grief and guilt, Juniper did succeed in saving Queen, the head of the Imperials, from being poisoned at a banquet thrown by Alaric. Queen rewarded Juniper’s kindness to her by revealing that Lucius, previous ruler of Terminalle, was still alive and possessed some Python cure. Lucius subsequently helped the Resistance break into his vault in the palace, only to discover the cure had been stolen by ex-Resistance leader Savannah. While in the vault, Sabine, a friend of the murdered reporter Claudine, stole a vial of Python.

Juniper also passed on valuable information to Saxon, including Alaric’s use of hypnosis to create female assassins and the presence of a spy inside the Resistance. Eventually this was revealed to be Cressida, Saxon’s girlfriend.

Outside the palace, Saxon and the Resistance worked on regaining control of the water station. Their first attempt to retake it led to the capture of both Loki and Sabine. Loki was tortured by Alaric, then returned to the Resistance in exchange for information on Estiana’s progress on the cure. Their second attempt to restore the water to Terminalle was successful with the assistance of the crime family, the Morettis.

Romain was heavily involved in supporting Estiana, falling in love with her despite his commitment to Juniper. Although Estiana did eventually both reciprocate Romain’s love and succeed in creating a cure, Alaric caught and killed her, just before wedding Cressida. Nevertheless, hundreds of Terminalle residents subsequently received Estiana’s cure. Until Prionide, one of its core ingredients, ran out...

...Now, the closest city believed to possess more Prionide is Katalye, residence of the doomsday cult the Primates. Also in Katalye is Sabine with the stolen vial of Python. Consequently, Saxon has asked Juniper to travel there with him, to deal with both these problems...

Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.

Martin Luther King Jr

Prologue

(SIX MONTHS AGO)

Sabine’s dream started out as the most peaceful in months.

She was in a moss-green forest, leaves forming a canopy above her that closed out most of the sunlight. The few rays that found their way through speckled the leaves and brushed her long, honey-blond waves with golden light.

But no, it wasn’t blond—her hair was dirty-grey, streaked with ash.  

And the smell wasn’t fresh and glorious. It was thick, cloying, toxic.

In her dream she fell to her knees, coughing violently, trying to draw breath.

Waking was wildly disorienting because she was on her knees, coughing so hard her throat was aching. There was so much smoke, she could barely see her own hands.

She had to move! The door was closest, but touching it burnt her skin; the wood unbearably hot.

The window was farther away but the smoke seemed thinner there, and when she shoved it open, the frame didn’t hurt her fingers. Smoke rushed at her as the air sucked it towards the night. She was coughing and choking as she climbed out onto the familiar ledge. Dozens of times she’d slipped out there, risking her life to balance on the narrow edge before climbing down the wall, using the cracks as tenuous holds, until she reached the ground. Sometimes Joaquim waited in the darkness for her, silently egging her on. Other times she snuck through the compound to his villa without prior arrangement.

Tonight he wasn’t there. He’d left on some important mission for Tirich.

She’d asked if she could go. Tirich, like everyone else, including her own family, assumed she and Joaquim were together. They weren’t—never had been. She just wanted to get out of the compound.

She reached the ground and stared up at the flames pouring out of the top of the building. She had stumbled back to get a better look when sirens drew her attention. She couldn’t see them, but she heard fire trucks getting closer, until they finally burst around the corner.

The sight of the men pouring out of them pulled her from her daze. Her parents, Martha and Lazaran—were they safe?

She half-sprinted, half-stumbled around the building, towards a different entrance.

She nearly ran into her father. He grabbed her arm when she would have stumbled again. His eyes looked as wild and crazed as she felt. Stop, he hissed when she tried to wrench free.

But I have to get to Martha, she cried.

She’s safe. I’m sorry.

"You’re sorry? Why?"

We didn’t think it would spread so fast, he muttered.

"You set this?" she gasped.

A fireman appeared and yelled, Get back! Get back from the building!

Calm down, Lazaran hissed, because she was wrestling with his grip, trying to compute that for some reason her father had started this inferno roaring above them. Were he and his accomplices, whoever they were, trying to speed the end of the world this way? That made no sense. The whole world was meant to end, not just their compound, and the Primates were all meant to survive.

Lazaran was dragging her away, towards the nearest bushes. When they finally came to a stop, she turned to face him, a red-tinged wraith backlit by the fire.  She tried to calm herself, and he said, That’s better. Remember your training, Sabine.

She nodded and began a breathing exercise. When she’d completed twenty long, slow breaths, almost shutting out the roaring, crackling sounds behind him, he said, The cure is gone, Sabine.

You destroyed the cure? she asked carefully, because now she could see the warning in his eyes. He would expect her composure now.

The only remaining place that may still have it is Terminalle. We need you to go there, find out if they do possess it, and destroy it if they do.

Terminalle? But that’s abandoned, a ghost-town. There’s only a few hundred people living there.

He smiled grimly. Lucius would certainly want you to think that. No, there’s thousands in there. It’s where Tirich is from originally. Lucius was his brother, and it’s where he brought Python from—and its cure.

Mezvrases Mivirus was the virus that would one day destroy the world, according to her father. It was hideous, nicknamed Python because it killed by swelling the internal organs until its victim was literally crushed to death. 

A terrible thought occurred. "You said Lucius was Tirich’s brother?"

Tirich is dead.

So they’d killed Tirich. There were no words. Except, she had to ask, How would I even get in there? It’s got that big dome right over it, and those huge walls.

There’s a reporter investigating it at the moment. She’s trying to find a way in. You’ll befriend her, which will create an opportunity. With Tirich and his ungodly caution gone, the sooner the better. You’ll meet the reporter, Claudine, within the week.

She had to choose her words carefully. I don’t know if I can do this, Lazaran.

His face changed, darkened in the way she hated because she feared what it meant. He hissed, If you want to protect your friend, you will do this.

Please, leave Joaquim out of this, she said immediately. She hated begging, but she would do anything for her best friend. It was the weakness her father always exploited.

He’s part of this mission. If he needs to give his health to motivate you, he will, Lazaran snapped.

He meant Python. He would give Joaquim the virus.

This shouldn’t surprise her. Lazaran had given Sabine herself Python when she was thirteen and asking more questions than he liked, becoming ‘rebellious.’ Then he gave her treatments to keep it suppressed, while promising to cure her when she’d done enough for the Primates’ cause. Which basically meant obeying her father and causing no trouble. He didn’t know Joaquim had actually stolen the cure for her two years ago. When Lazaran had finally decided last year that she’d done enough to deserve healing, she’d faked gratitude while resenting the fact that he’d infected her in the first place.

If Lazaran gave Joaquim Python now, there was no longer any cure for him. It was burning up behind them.

She had no choice. She would have to befriend the reporter to get to Terminalle.

But first, she would need to support Joaquim. He would be devastated to lose Tirich.

Which raised the question of who would lead the Primates now.

Then she looked at her father’s grim, set face as he studied the fire, still ferociously resisting the firefighters’ attempts to douse it. Of course—Lazaran wanted control.

1  Katalye

(THE PRESENT)

I ’m tired, Romain. What did you want? Loki asked. He was still pale and sickly-looking. Not currently in pain, though—the doctors were taking care of that.  

Romain sighed, got up and paced. He had wanted more time to ease into this, but apparently Loki wouldn’t give him that, even though he was still mostly confined to bed. Alaric’s men had really done a number on him, which was one reason Romain was approaching him now. That and the fact that Alaric had killed Loki’s wife, Golda.

Well? Loki demanded.

Romain ignored him, staring out the window at the strange mix of rubble and collapsed dome scattered around the still-intact buildings of Terminalle. Rubble Alaric had created.

And yet, did he really want to do this?

But then he remembered that Alaric had murdered someone he cared deeply about, too: Estiana. Just after she cured Python, just after she admitted on a phone message that she had feelings for Romain. So he turned to study Loki and said resolutely: I want you to help me kill Alaric.

Loki barely blinked. He asked, Why?

You know why. He killed Golda.

That’s my issue, not yours.

And Estiana.

She was just a crazy ex-cult girl. Loki shrugged.

She was so much more than that!

Loki frowned. What was she to you? Seeing Romain’s glare, he answered himself. Ah, you had feelings for her. But you’re with Juniper, aren’t you?

Juniper. The woman he’d grown up with, believing her to be his cousin. Strikingly beautiful, clever, brave, sharp ... and not Estiana. But he admitted, I am.

Loki was shaking his head. Wow, you’re with Juniper but still in love with Estiana?

It’s none of your business!

Saxon is my friend, and you’re not, Loki said sharply. He’s in love with Juniper and you’re not. So you better let her go.

"I don’t have to do anything. Now will you help me kill Alaric or not?"

Loki studied him a long time, then shook his head. Not. It’s too risky. Much though I would like to see him disappear from our city for good, he’s still too well guarded by his hundreds of clones. And I’m not exactly up to the task, in case you hadn’t noticed.

We still have people in the palace.

Not enough. I’d like to go to sleep now.

Romain considered arguing, but Loki was already turning his back on him, signaling they were done.

Loki’s next visitors were Juniper and Saxon, there to say goodbye before they headed to Katalye. Juniper looked on edge, explaining when Loki asked that she’d just spent time with Lucius, ex-ruler of Terminalle. And? Loki asked curiously.

He wanted to talk about the things Romain found out about him. I’ve put him off for so long, I had to have the conversation before we left.

About when Alaric buried him alive when they were kids?

Juniper sighed. He’s started having nightmares about it. I feel for him. He’s lost everything ...

Including you, Loki commented, casting a glance at Saxon, who was listening stoically.

His home, his power, most of his friends, his parties and luxuries, she continued. And in exchange, he’s facing huge trauma from his past.

At least he has Queen, Saxon interjected. Those two are inseparable.

That’s a strange friendship—former dictator of Terminalle and leader of an all-female gang, Loki observed.

She saved his life. Juniper shrugged.

And you saved Danton’s. Is he still trying to find ways to repay that?

He protects her, Saxon interjected.

I’m surprised you’re not taking him to Katalye with you, then. When do you leave?

Today.

Good. I’m coming with you, Loki said firmly. "It’s my fault the Primates have Python—I believed Sabine when she told me she wanted to help find a cure. I didn’t know she was giving them Python instead." He could hear the bitterness in his own voice. It was almost as thick as Romain’s.

Maybe she does want to help us, Juniper suggested.

Don’t bother defending her, Loki snapped. He sat up and took hold of the drip in his arm, preparing to pull it out. "Sabine lives in the hotel complex the Primates are based in. Her parents own a massive part of it. They think the world’s going to end in the next few years, so they’re probably planning to use Python to make it happen."

We don’t know that, Saxon said soothingly.

"Why else would that witch steal it?" Loki exclaimed, so loudly a doctor popped his head in, then retreated again at Saxon’s wave.

We don’t know she’s the same as her parents, Saxon tried again.

Loki scowled, shoving his blond dreadlocks back. "I know her father rules the Primates. There was some fire, and its last leader died and Lazaran took over. Of course Sabine’s one of them, and when I get my hands on her—"

What? What will you do? Saxon demanded. For the first time he sounded angry. Will you kill her? Torture her? Kidnap her? That floored Loki. He saw Juniper smile and glared at her. Saxon continued, You can’t come. You have to finish recovering so you can help us get Alaric and Lumiere out of Terminalle when we get back.

I’m better ...

You’re not! The doctors say you need to deal with your anger and bitterness to recover properly. Your guilt over Golda—you know it’s damaging you. He lowered his voice and knelt beside Loki’s bed abruptly. Please face this stuff. They have some doctors here you could talk to ...

Head doctors? Not likely!

"Then talk it out with God. You can’t carry this guilt, this poison, forever."

After they left, Juniper and Saxon walked two corridors silently until Saxon sighed and said, You can say it.

She replied immediately, You’re carrying just as much guilt as he is. For Golda and Estiana and all the people dying around here because we’ve run out of cure, and all the people Alaric killed because we haven’t stopped him yet—

And you’re carrying guilt over me and Alaric.

She scowled. I don’t know what you mean.

Yes, you do. You kissed me last week, but you feel loyal to Romain, and your guilt’s keeping you with him, Saxon said bluntly. And then there’s all your guilt over being part of Alaric’s cruelty—the ‘winnowing,’ poisoning our people at the hospital, whipping Hadassah. He stopped abruptly and put a hand on her bare arm to pause her. The touch jolted her, made her heart-rate increase. Please ...

"Please what? Forgive myself? How? Tell me and I’ll do it. She stopped and glared at him. But he was silent, his eyes sad. There’s no point talking about it. Let’s just get to Katalye."

They went through the tunnels, taking the entrance inside the maze and exiting into Alaric’s abandoned palace in Lumiere. Not that Lumiere was completely empty—plenty of Terminalle people had taken the cure, then fled across. That they were holed up there was most evident in the many smashed lights, reducing Lumiere from constant, blinding light to normal daylight.

Why hasn’t Alaric stopped us from coming here? Juniper asked, after they’d walked past half a dozen inhabited houses, people peering at them through their windows but otherwise leaving them alone.

His focus is on controlling people; he obviously doesn’t care where he does it.

Juniper sighed. I am so sick of talking about Alaric, but I still feel like we need to work out what he wants. He’s lost control of the water, and half of Terminalle won’t have anything to do with him. What does he think he can achieve now?

What has he always wanted?

To avenge himself on Lucius for their dad throwing Alaric out when he was young?

Yes, but he still thinks Lucius is dead, and he’s given up on winning you over. So what’s he got left?

Making himself more powerful than Lucius ever was? But he’s losing control, not increasing it.

So what gives him control? Saxon mused. They were nearly at the main exit from Lumiere. She could see it up ahead: the white buildings she had entered through a few months back. It felt like a year ago now.

She suggested, Alaric’s control is through his clones and through Python. But we can cure Python now, and his followers are diminishing. Enzo told me a whole lot more defected a few days ago.

"It wasn’t Python alone he wanted, though. He wanted the virus and the cure, because then he can offer hope as well as create fear."

He’s running out of Python, she argued. And with Estiana dead, he’s got no way of making more. The cure, either.

But we’ve given the cure to hundreds, so he could have already got his hands on some.

We made everyone take it in front of us, though, she argued.

We made exceptions for sick parents and children who supposedly couldn’t travel to get it.

You really think Alaric would have sent people to us so he could steal their cure?

I do. All he needs then is someone who can copy it.

There are no scientists left.

Perhaps from outside? Saxon shrugged.

She maintained a thoughtful silence as Saxon picked the lock on the exit. There was a car waiting outside Lumiere, placed there by a Moretti family member. The city was fading into the distance when Saxon asked, How was Romain when you said goodbye?

He didn’t want me to go, she admitted. Nor did Asher—he thinks we should be breaking into the palace to rescue Hadassah and everyone else Alaric still has imprisoned. Asher’s not going to rest until he gets Hadassah back, you know.

He ignored that, asking, And Lucius? Do you really feel sorry for him? Even after ...

After all he’s done to me? I do. I used to have so much resentment towards him, but it’s all just ... diminished. Gone, somehow. I think he’s just a broken man acting out of his trauma and fears, she added.

Have you told him about you and Romain yet?

Do you think I want Romain poisoned in his sleep?

Lucius would never get to him. We watch him too closely, he replied. He sounded serious, but when she glanced at him, he was grinning.

I’m tired. I think I’ll nap now.

You didn’t sleep well?

I got woken by more people threatening to kill me if we don’t produce more cure soon.

How are they finding you? I thought Danton was helping you stay hidden.

Desperate people find a way. She shrugged, acting nonchalant, although the memory of her latest assailant made her feel ill: his sickly yellow virus eyes; the strange way he moved, no doubt because of the immense pain he was in; the violent red rashes crawling up his swollen forearms and wrapping around his bloated neck from behind. Her skin crawled, though she and Danton had talked him down before he could touch her. The man last night said his daughter’s dying. They really do seem to believe we have more cure but we’re keeping it from them.

It was Saxon’s turn to sigh. Ten kilos of Prionide, that’s all we need to finish curing the whole city. We could wipe out Python for good.

Then we get to have a normal life, she said. She got comfortable, closed her eyes and tried to imagine what a normal life might look like. But she really had no idea.

Saxon shook her awake when Katalye came into sight, when day had faded into thick night. The city was lit by multiple indigo-blue lamps posted along the edge of the wide river that entirely surrounded it. The huge brick walls rising skyward reminded Juniper of Terminalle’s, though there was no dome topping the city and presumably people could freely come and go.

And yet it appeared empty and quiet as they started driving along the river, searching for the nearest of the four entrances. Is there some kind of curfew here? How much freedom do they have? Juniper asked when a bridge finally came into sight.

I thought it was pretty open. Enzo trades here a lot, Saxon said. He looked worried, though.

Are we going to have trouble?

I know what to say to get us in. Open the glove box.

It was empty but for a small bag with something shiny inside it. She pulled out a beautiful dark blue ring and a simple silver band. Your engagement and wedding rings. We’re here for our honeymoon. After we’ve met with Enzo’s contact, it gives us an excuse to stay at the Masada, which is insanely expensive, in case you’re wondering.

They were close enough now to see two men standing at attention in front of the dark plum-colored gates. One held a gun by his side; both were focused on their car as they drove toward the bridge. They were waved to a halt a distance from the gates, the gunman walking to Juniper’s side of the car while the other questioned Saxon, Where do you come from tonight?

Terminalle.

You’re out late. That’s never a good idea around here.

It seems pretty safe, Juniper couldn’t resist interjecting, glancing at the empty expanse behind them.

The gun man frowned disapprovingly. Get out of the car for a search, please.

The search was disturbingly thorough. Juniper scowled but managed to hold her tongue, until he examined her new rings. Then she said, Beautiful, aren’t they? My wonderful husband chose them.

You’re newly married? Better enjoy it while you can. Not long now, the guard said.

Not long till what?

Her searcher didn’t respond. The other one ordered, State your business.

We’re on a delayed honeymoon. We’re also collecting some goods for Mikhail Moretti, ruler of sector five in Terminalle. He called ahead for us, Saxon replied.

Jack, search the luggage, the gun man ordered. When Jack was preoccupied at the back of the car, he held a hand out, pointedly. Saxon was obviously expecting that, passing over a wrapped package. Then they all waited while Jack finished examining every inch of the car. It was cold, Juniper shivering in the night breeze that bit into her exposed arms.

Eventually Jack was done and the gun man said, You’re clear to go, but remember, unless you’re checked in at Masada, you need to report to the Station every day.

Saxon’s glare silenced Juniper’s next question. She held her peace as the huge gates slowly swung open, allowing them into the city. When they were through, she demanded, What’s going on?

They’re just being careful, Saxon said cheerfully, frantically miming someone listening.

Unbelievable. They’d planted a bug in the car. She had so many questions, but instead of asking them, she stared out at the city.

It was exceptionally clean and orderly, everything so pristine it could have been painted that very morning. Most of it was made of stone: the cobblestone beneath their car tires, houses, shops and walls. The streets were narrow but spotless too, winding past numerous quaint houses, communal buildings and parks, climbing over bridges spanning tributaries of the river. They’d driven for twenty minutes before she realized, No churches. I thought the Pri—

Saxon’s hand clamped over her mouth before she could finish. He pulled over as she pushed it away and said, Look how gorgeous the river looks. Let’s take a walk.

He wouldn’t let her speak till they were on a bridge over a gushing stream. Then he explained, They bugged our car. I saw them place it.

Is this place like Lumiere, then? Do they monitor everything?

Enzo didn’t tell me that. He seemed to think we shouldn’t have any problems. He had his phone out and was scrolling through the contacts.

Who are you calling?

Enzo. To see if he knows what’s going on here.

(TERMINALLE)

What are you reading? Alice asked.

It was ridiculous how guilty Romain instantly felt at his sister’s question. Juniper had entrusted her novel to him once she knew she was leaving Terminalle. He’d promised to keep it safe and private. It was his conflicted emotions towards her that had motivated him to start reading it, in hopes that it could help him figure out how he really felt about her. After his talk with Loki, he was also hoping it could distract him from how frustrated he was currently feeling.

Isn’t that Juniper’s handwriting? Alice was asking.

It’s her novel, he admitted. She’s nearly finished it, just a few chapters to go. I’m looking after it for her.

Any good?

Amazing, actually. Especially because it’s about us. Her and the Resistance and her best friend. He pointed at himself. And Terminalle, Lucius, Alaric. It’s really good.

Can I read it, too? she asked, picking up the pile of papers he was done with.

I promised not to let anyone read it.

But I’m not just anyone, am I? I’m like a sister to her, even though we’re not really related. She took the papers to a seat in the sun, avoiding his outstretched hand.

Oh well, it was a compliment that he thought Juniper was such a clever writer. He would confess to reading it, and Alice too, when Juniper eventually got back.

2  Show them

Romain was near the end of Juniper’s novel when the siren wailed, signaling a communication from Alaric. Does that man never stop repeating himself? Alice muttered.

There you are, Enzo said, grinning from the doorway. He gave Alice a long, lingering kiss, then smirked at Romain. The man was insufferable. Romain was still struggling to understand what his sister saw in him. His money and influence in multiple Terminalle sectors, perhaps? But Alice had never been that shallow.

He returned to the last few pages of Juniper’s story, wishing it was finished, as Alaric’s voice filled the room. My people ... Hardly! "... I have the most incredible news for you today! Many of you know the Resistance has used up all the virus cure on themselves and their chosen followers. They have hoarded it for themselves, and you, my people, are suffering and dying as a result. But today I promise you, I will retrieve the cure from them and I will cure you! In four days’ time, I will be able to start giving it to you. His voice lowered, softened, caught as if he was emotional, So hold on! Just a little longer, and I will heal you."

The transmission cut out and they stared at each other in shock. Alice broke the silence first, Is he ...?

Declaring war on us? Enzo cut in. Yes, I believe that’s exactly what he just did. He’s coming after the cure.

Doesn’t he know we’ve run out?

"Perhaps he doesn’t believe it. He would keep it to himself and just give it to the ones he chooses. I imagine he could easily believe we would do the same."

A phone rang abruptly. It’s Saxon, Enzo said, studying the screen. Shall I tell him about this?

Yes, Alice said as Romain said, No. Saxon and Juniper need to stay focused on what they’re doing.

You don’t want Juniper back here yet? Enzo teased. His face was grim, though. He answered his phone with: Saxon, bad news, Alaric just declared he’ll have cure for the people in four days. I think he’s coming after us. But Romain doesn’t want Juniper back here yet, so carry on with your mission.

The man was unbelievable.

Any news on your end?

Enzo hit a button and Saxon’s voice came through on speaker phone, saying, That’s not good. Have any of our people heard anything about this?

We have four days; I’ll check it out. What’d you call for?

The security here in Katalye is high. What’s going on? I thought it was meant to be easy getting in.

What’s happened?

They planted something in our car, probably a recording device or a tracker. Maybe both. And they want us to check in somewhere daily if we’re not at Masada.

That’s definitely tighter. Could they be expecting you?

I don’t see how.

Maybe they’ve just generally upped their security. It might not be personal.

Maybe not. But upping their security would mean they’re up to something, Saxon said grimly. I was going to wait till tomorrow before looking for your contact, but with this and Alaric’s threat, perhaps we’ll try to reach your man tonight, then get out as quickly as we can.

Or you could stay a bit and enjoy your honeymoon, Enzo said suggestively, then hung up.

(KATALYE)

Despite the late hour, there was a whole section of Katalye shops open. Though they meandered through them, it was obvious to Juniper that Saxon had a definite destination. Eventually they slipped into a small pharmaceutical shop crammed between a butcher’s and a grocery store. A couple was being served, so Juniper and Saxon pretended to browse till the pair left. Then Saxon approached the counter to ask quietly, Are you Ryan?

Yes, this is my shop. And you are?

Enzo sent us.

Ah. Lock the door and come with me.

Ryan looked surprisingly youthful, considering his accomplishments. Apparently he’d cured some kind of eye disease common in Katalye, changed the form of a drug they used for pneumonia and developed an immunization against a debilitating disease Juniper had never heard of. When she asked his age, he grinned. Older than I look, younger than you’re thinking.

He settled them with hot drinks in the back of the shop before asking what they needed. Enzo had vouched for Ryan’s trustworthiness and confidentiality. Still, it felt unnerving to tell this thin, red-haired stranger about the vulnerabilities of their city.

So you need Prionide to manufacture more cure? he clarified when Saxon had finished. Juniper had been perched by the window, studying the dark streets. Now Ryan said, Being on this mission, Juniper, you might want to close the shutters.

Saxon frowned. Why? What’s the problem?

Prionide is used as a hallucinogenic in elite Primate ceremonies. It’s seen as a great privilege to be invited to them. It’s also an extremely dangerous drug—undiluted, it can bring on rapid psychosis, and it’s highly addictive.

So? Saxon prompted.

So it’s illegal to buy Prionide. Only the top Primates can use it. If you’re found with it, you’ll be arrested.

Why didn’t Enzo tell us that?

"He probably doesn’t know. He may know I used to supply it, but Lazaran controls most of it personally now. Apart from the few insane people that dare risk