Free Joshua and the Lightning Road by Donna Galanti Page A

looking for kids to steal that is.”
    “This is true,” the man said, cocking his head with pursed lips, having fun with us. “The Lightning Gate can pinpoint an Earth region, but my belt allows me to choose a specific destination.”
    “Like where?” I said.
    “A country or town—or even an address—on Earth or Nostos.”
    Sam flicked a finger at the man. “And once a Collector visits there and sources out new slaves he catalogues their locations and returns to take them one by one.”
    “Nice recitation from your schooling, boy.”
    “And each realm is assigned specific Earth countries. Our realm is France, England, and America,” Sam continued, spitting out each word. “So where are you assigned, Collector?”
    The man let his fingers slide over the belt buttons. “That is none of your concern,” he said evenly, and then he pointed at Sam. “Enough of today’s lesson! Back to business. Do you at least have the codes to go with the key?”
    “Not exactly,” Sam said, slumping his shoulders.
    “Describe ‘not exactly.’”
    “The king keeps the codes in the Castle. You would know that. And you should have your own key and codes, Child Collector .” He flung his fingers at the man.
    “Maybe I do. And maybe I don’t.” The man’s jaw twitched, and he took a step closer, placing a hand on his knife. “But I want to know how you planned to go about getting them. Your answer may mean the difference between staying free, or not.”
    “Once we find his friend”—Sam jerked a thumb at me—“we planned to steal the codes from the castle, and then steal a gate key from the Child Collector’s supply in his house. I know where he lives. I’d steal his code set too, but he keeps it on him, and I’m not keen to search his pockets. Or yours.”
    The man dropped his menacing look and laughed. “I give you marks for bravery, daring to step into a Child Collector’s abode, but how did you plan to get the codes from King Apollo? You thought the king would just hand them over if you asked politely?”
    “Why bother with all this?” Sam said with a groan. “If you’re not going to turn us over to Hekate then just let us go on our way.”
    But I had another mission for the man. “Willyou help us get to Earth?”

Chapter Thirteen
     
     
    Charlie and Sam gaped at me as if my head had twisted around backward. The guy was a Child Collector and just held a knife to my throat—even I couldn’t justify why I’d asked—but we had few options and taking risks seemed to be working here.
    The man folded his arms and thought for a moment. “Perhaps.” Our captor smirked at Sam. “So, Prince, convince me why I should help you or let you go. There’s a reward in it for me, after all, if I bring you back to my realm.”
    Sam remained tight-lipped. The man stepped forward and put a hand again to the handle of his knife.
    Sam turned red and sighed with defeat. “My mother lost favor with King Apollo and was banished from the Lost Realm to Earth. I was raised there and want to go back and find her, or at least a new home with one of these two.”
    “Your mom lives on Earth?” I said. Sam’s story got stranger and stranger. “How—”
    “Wait.” The man put out his hand to cut me off. “Prince, does this code set you plan to steal have all the travel codes, including the Earth one? Or just merchant transport codes to travel between realms?”
    Sam scrunched his face up. “Why do you need to know that? You must have your own set! Or did you lose them and your gate key and you’re afraid of getting punished for it?”
    I feared Sam had gone too far this time, but the man tilted his head and laughed. A deep, booming laugh that echoed around us. “You boys have heart, I grant you. But this is a time of great unrest, and Lost Realm folk fear the Dark Ages returning. Plus, you should be kinder to me if you want my help. And you have much to learn about traversing the Perimeter Lands. You make one move in