Free New World Rising by Jennifer Wilson Page B

glance I recognized some of the scrawl as notes. There were Tribe names, weapons lists, and maps covering the pages. Before I could take a closer look, a woman cleared her throat.
    Arstid rose from a high back chair hidden in the shadows of a rather large bookcase. There was a tattered book clutched in her bony hand. As she moved towards us, her body slipped into its customary military stance. Nothing about this woman ever seemed at ease, her face pinched, her body always rigid as if ready for an attack. I wondered if anyone had ever offered to remove the pole from her rear end.
    I tried to relax my stance, to not look like her. But based on the quizzical look Triven shot me, I had only managed to look awkward.
    “Triven you are dismissed, I can handle her from here.” She nodded curtly at him, but he didn’t move.
    “If it is permissible, I would prefer to remain here.”
    “Fine.” Arstid said curtly, obviously irritated. “Just sit in the corner and keep your thoughts to yourself.”
    I stared at him in disbelief. Who was this man that he could stay Maddox and speak out against their leader’s wishes? Without another glance in my direction, Triven settled himself into a chair and folded his hands waiting for her to continue.
    Arstid pinched the bridge of her nose while gesturing with her other hand. “Please take a seat Phoenix.”
    I chose a stiff chair. “Will you be providing me with some of the answers you so righteously promised, or are we going to continue with another round of pointless questions?”
    Her returning glare pleased me. “Actually Phoenix, yes I will be providing you with answers as I see fit. And you in return are going to answer some of mine.”
    I raised my eyebrows waiting for her questions, but instead she surprised me, providing answers to questions I had long been asking.
    “As you have surely noticed during your confinement here, we do not follow the rules of Tartarus, nor will we tolerate those who do. Within our walls, all captives will be treated as a threat unless proven otherwise. And those who cannot be trusted will be terminated.”
    Triven shifted behind me.
    “For six years we have gathered allies and in return gained information about the Tribes. Our community is comprised of excommunicated Tribesman and those of us who were foolish enough to follow your mother from The Sanctuary. We call ourselves The Subversive.”
    My eyes widened. “That makes six Tribes…”
    Arstid’s white head shook slowly. “No. We are not a Tribe. The Subversive was created in spite of the Tribes. Unlike the uncouth clans that formed within this vile city to rule and murder, we joined together out of necessity. Alone we were weak and vulnerable, together we are strong and knowledgeable.”
    My eyes narrowed. This was a recruitment speech.
    “The fact that you managed to survive in this city alone as long as you have speaks great lengths about your intellect. Unless you have merely been very lucky .”
    Her words stung.
    “I don’t believe in luck.” I said through my teeth.
    “Funny, neither do I.” Her bright eyes were like stones. “That is why I am hesitantly offering this deal. You will get no time to think or sleep on it. The second you walk out this door the deal is off the table.
    “Three days a week you will work wherever we sit fit, earning your keep within this society. The other four you will be operating either with myself or another member of the guard. You will answer all questions we ask you and you will be forthright. In return I will provide you with the information we have gathered both about the Tribes and The Sanctuary.”
    “And what if I don’t have the information you want?” I held her gaze.
    “Your father’s notebook has obviously proven key to your survival here. To your advantage, most of his notes are coded and unreadable. I guarantee that between what’s in that pretty little head of yours and what’s scrawled in the journal, we can find a