She shrugged, but kept her trap shut.
Brace answered me. “I spoke with Father this morning while we were walking, and he also thinks I need to be cracked a good one.” He raised an eyebrow in my direction. “But he knows how I feel. The Guardians think you escaped on your own. He sent them in the opposite direction.”
I had to assume this was the telepathy he had referred to, because there’d been no conversation in my hearing.
“So do you want to spend the night in Angelisian?”
Even now, when I wasn’t prepared for it, the accent still stunned me. It should be registered as a weapon against women. What did he just say?
“Uh ... what?”
Lucy, still grinning wildly, answered. “Yes, that sounds perfect.”
We were out of the forest. There was a path running parallel with the tree-line, and beyond that rolling fields of green, so bright they looked false.
Brace looked around. “I probably should have taken Deralick’s off-road vehicle. Would have been a faster journey.”
I hadn’t thought twice about transport. There were very few functioning vehicles on Earth. And those that did work were in the hands of the Gangers.
He continued. “Vehicles just haven’t been the same since the empress banned all polluting machines and converted everything to renewable clean energy.”
His crestfallen look was that of a boy who’d had his toys taken away.
We started along the cobblestone road. In the distance, trees were dotted around, and fenced-off areas held large herds of grazing animals. The grass was almost a lime green, so much more vibrant than anything back home.
But where were all the people?
The path was wide and, despite the appearance of large pebbles, smooth. The forest stayed on our left for some of the journey, but we veered off as the path dropped over a small incline.
As we walked up the other side I gasped in awe. As far as the eye could see was the most incredible sight. Something I’d only ever dreamed I’d have the chance to experience – the ocean.
Its majestic and vast beauty stunned me. Crystal blues, aqua greens, burnt reds – the most unbelievable colors threading through the crashing waves. In the distance a small town bordered the white sandy beaches. Angelisian, I assumed.
Lucy grasped my hand. “Can you believe...?” She trailed off.
“Better than shoe stores, Luce?”
She just shook her head, before taking a deep breath. “You know, I think it actually is.”
A single tear descended along her cheek. Her face was alight with an innocent joy I hadn’t seen for years.
“Are all of the towns here this beautiful?” I asked. “They certainly aren’t up north,” I tacked on the end, to keep up our charade.
He shook his head. “No. Angelisian is special. It’s actually the only town to exist on the royal Isle of Itowa, besides the castle that houses the royal family and the castle subsidiaries. Angelisian is exclusive and filled with many of the higher powered families.” His lips lifted in a half-grin. “That scene you can’t take your eyes off, that’s Bellus Ocean. One of our natural wonders.”
I couldn’t believe we were going to experience this city on the ocean. I nudged Lucy as we ran along the rest of the path, both of us filled with renewed energy.
“We should go swimming,” I called.
It was hot and sticky and the water was an oasis of temptation.
“Abby, we don’t know how to swim,” Lucy laughed. “But we can go for a drown, if you want.”
“Spoil-sport,” I muttered.
Either way, I couldn’t wait to get closer. And I was so ready to meet more First Worldians ... Worlders ... whatever they were called.
Chapter 8
We reached the end of the path but were blocked from entering the town by a large set of gates. It looked really odd. The gates appeared to be sitting in the middle of the path, but without a fence on either side. I was wondering what the point was, until I noticed the shimmery force field surrounding the city.
Brace stepped forward and spoke to the large brown structures. “Brace Langsworth – to see the Frayre family.”
The voice that boomed back was so loud both Lucy and I jumped.
“Who accompanies you, Brace Langsworth?”
I craned my neck trying to see where it was coming from.
Brace gave us a sideways glance. “They are friends of my family. Lucy and ... little Red.” He winked at me.
Turning my head away, I chose to be the bigger person and not punch him in the kidneys.
There was a pause, as though the gate was considering the request, before it slid open.
These words echoed as we stepped through. “You have been granted entry. But beware: there is no tolerance here for mischief of innocent or evil nature. The Frayres have vouched for you. Do not mislead them in their trust.”
I looked back. I still couldn’t see who was speaking. Shaking my head, I turned to Brace.