Free Sparked (The Metal Bones Series Book 1) by Sheena Snow Page A

rely on robots, flee with robots. I’m sorry, half-human robots. I was going to be utterly and completely dependent on robots.
    “Have you decided to leave tonight?” Robotatouille asked. His collar was ripped and dirt stained his pants.
    “Yes,” Dad said.
    “Good. She’ll be safe. She’ll be with the best, and I’ll be here to help you.”
    Dad’s vein throbbed. “What do you mean you’ll be here ? Who the heck is she going with then?”
    Robotatouille scratched his head. “I can’t leave. If I’m gone, they’ll know something’s up. And I need to protect you in case anything else happens.
    “What about Vienna?” Dad asked.
    “Vienna will be in the best hands possible.” Robotatouille waved, as if Dad’s concern was nothing, as if everything was okay. “She’ll be with four other robots and our commander, and if she isn’t safe with the commander, then she’s not safe with anyone.”
    “Well,” Dad said, throwing up his hands. “Where is he now? And why hasn’t he been here this whole time?”
    The muscle in Robotatouille’s jaw flexed. “He’s been here the whole time. He was watching over her. The. Whole. Time. You think this is the only time something like this has happened? Do you even know how many others have tried?” Robotatouille narrowed his eyes. “They send more advanced robots each time, and each time, they keep getting harder to stop. He had his hands full tonight taking care of five of them. Two got away. The guards posted outside were only able to take one of them out. That’s why the last got through.” Robotatouille’s hands fisted at his sides. “Yesterday, it was even closer. He snuck through the front door. We even had a little scrimmage—in the kitchen—with Vienna asleep right next door. And let me tell you, it has been close. So close.”
    Dad wilted, the fire going out of him. “Yesterday? And you didn’t tell me? Why didn’t you just come clean then?”
    “I’m coming clean now.” Robotatouille rubbed the back of his neck. “Which is why she needs to leave. Tonight. We thought they would stop but they haven’t. They send more each time.”
    “M-M-More?” Dad stuttered. “Each t-time?”
    My jaw dropped. I felt like I was learning a story about a whole new girl whose name wasn’t Vienna Avery.
    “When will I meet him?” I whispered. “This commander.”
    “Soon. He’s finishing up some things.” Robotatouille walked over to the window. “He’s scheduled to arrive after your mom comes home.”
    “If he has done so much for my daughter already, I’m indebted to him. And . . .” Dad stared out the window. “I appreciate everything you all have done for us.”
    “Yes.” I stared down at my feet. “Thank you. You were . . . saving my life the whole time, weren’t you?”
    “Don’t thank me. Thank the commander. I was under his orders.” Robotatouille dropped the curtain. “Your wife has arrived.”
    My head dropped. This was about to get even better.
    Mom’s footsteps echoed along the walkway and her key turned in the door.
    Three. Two —
    “What are you all doing . . .?” Mom took in our faces.
    One.
    “Patrick?” Mom dropped her bags. “What’s wrong?”
    Mom brought with her the smell of sugar and chocolate, and my stomach turned.
    “Why don’t you sit down?” Dad patted the seat next him.
    “What happened?” Mom asked, edging onto the chair. “And why are your bags packed, Vienna?”
    Dad filled her in. At first, Mom blamed me. Because, of course, Robotatouille coming alive, speaking and acting like a black belt in karate was my fault.
    Mom was Mom. I just kept forgetting that.
    “Are you ready?” Robotatouille looked at the three of us. Mom hadn’t said a word for the last ten minutes. Her flour-stained fingers were clenched in her lap.
    “Yes.” I got up and zipped my jacket.
    “But . . . but you’re leaving,” Mom whispered, as if we hadn’t just been telling her those exact same words for the last twenty