Free Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles) by Ciara Knight Page B

is enough to get you to heal faster.” I lifted the water carafe from his low, bedside table. Everything, from the bed to the tables to the bathroom, was at the correct level to prevent excessive stress on his wounds. “I’ll be back with fresh water and some food in a minute. And don’t you dare get out of bed without my help.”
    “I’m not trying to get out. I’m trying to get you in,” Ryder said, his voice sad and forlorn.
    Yeah, like that was going to work, I thought rolling my eyes as I left his room, and marched down the corridor to the mess hall.
    “Hey, pretty face.” Dred joined me at the junction, wrapping his strong arm around my shoulder. His dark skin a stark contrast to my paleness.
    “How’s it going?”
    “Good, been in contact with me family back at Oasis. General Bellator ’s had me send ’em coded messages about what’s happened and warn ’em to be on alert. So, they be gearing up to protect home from the queen. They’ll put up a fight she won’t forget and it’ll cost her, too.”
    I agreed. After he’d helped us escape Oasis and its leader Malvek, Dred had fought for his and his family’s life. In the process, Malvek died and now Dred ruled Oasis. “If anyone can best Mandesa, it’ll be your scavengers.”
    “They tol’ me that after she blew the mining territory, a fire started outside Old Chicago. It spread to the Agriculture territory. Now, the queen ain’t got enough supplies. People’re stravin’ an’ she’s gotta do somethin’ fast. She’ll be comin’ here right soon.”
    My mind reeled with images of Mag, the feisty old woman who helped us escape the assassins back in Old Chicago. “Old Chicago? Do they know who started the fire?”
    Dred stopped at the next junction. “ Yeah. They say it’s a crazy, silver-haired witch. Legend been spreadin’ across the country how she killed some of the queen’s assassins and to make sure, she burned ’em.”
    “Mags . I knew she was alive!” My heart soared to the point I thought it would leave my body and fly to the sky.
    Dred’s brows drew together. “You know the witch?”
    “Yes , but she isn’t a witch, but is definitely worthy of being a legend.” I squeezed his forearm. “Don’t be a stranger.” I said over my shoulder as he headed in the opposite direction.
    “You neither, pretty face.”
    As I neared the mess hall, I halted halfway there at my father yelling at someone.
    “Do you really believe he’d betray us again?” Fallon shouted back. “ Yes, he isn’t one of us, but he was tricked the first time. She lied to him, told him you were dangerous to Leanna and Semara.”
    I froze and prayed they didn’t sense my presence. I had to discover who had betrayed not only my parents and me to Mandesa, but our people.
    “ And what about Semara? If you imprison him, she’ll never forgive you. Do you really want to lose your daughter when you’ve just found each other?”
    That answered that question.
    “I care about only one thing, that she lives. I won’t make the same mistakes as before. I refuse to lose my child, again,” Father snapped.
    “You need to think long and hard about this. Because if you’re wrong, you’ll punish an innocent man, ruin any chance you have with Semara, and start a war among the council members. He has many supporters. He’s saved lives,” Fallon said, pleading with Father.
    I couldn’t stand silent a moment longer. I shoved open the door. They both faced me, horror etched in their expressions and eyes.
    “Semara, what do you need?” Father croaked.
    “I need to know who you ’re planning to imprison, the person you believe to be the traitor. Who is he?”
    Silence answered me. Teeth clenched, I stepped further into the room and quietly pushed the door shut behind me. “I have a right to know who might be a traitor to our cause. Who betrayed my mother and caused the Kantians to win the war. Who is this horrific monster, Father?” My fingers spasmed around