Chapter One

Ilona shivered awake to the yelps of dogs. But as much as she detested the sounds, she was grateful for the noise. She'd almost overslept.

Her clothes she'd hidden inside her mattress, the clothes that could get her killed. Not that anyone suspected. But if they did.

Her disguise was as threadbare as her stained pants, but it was all she had. A loose jacket to hide her chest, or at least keep perverts from chasing her. A cap to hold her springy curls. She looked like a street rat, a pureblooded street rat.

She tiptoed downstairs and into the kitchen. Though she really ought to have done this before falling asleep, many years of raiding sweets as a child had prepared her for moments like these.

Not that she'd ever imagined herself in these scenarios.

Ilona snuck back upstairs to her room, one hand full with dried meat, and crawled into her fireplace.

Clouds hid the moon. There was no one about to see a small figure shimmy out a chimney in one of Marley's wealthiest districts.

No one but the dogs, that is. And she quieted them as usual, with half the meat she'd stolen.

When she first began these missions, she used to nibble on the meat herself. But by now, she'd long lost her appetite. Thankfully, she'd yet to encounter a dog that had.

Kruger had long learned to hate Sergeant Major Gross's dogs, especially on these night missions.

He half-expected one night to end with Gross siccing the wretched beasts on him. The restorationalists were growing, the plan to infiltrate Marley's child soldier program was underway, and they were so close he couldn't help but expect disaster.

He'd never won in his life, so why should he expect different now?

"Hope something happens tonight," said Gross between puffs on a cigarette.

"Hmm." Kruger eyed his partner as he tapped ashes onto the cobblestones below their boots.

"You know, you're a bit of an enigma."

"Why, because I'd rather not be bothered by petty criminals?" Kruger inhaled.

"Because you're always the same. Boring as hell, whether we're sleep-deprived or drunk as fuck with the rest." Gross chuckled.

One of the dogs stopped short, and Kruger's heart sank.

"You notice something, boy?" Gross rubbed the dog's head.

One of them yipped.

"Yes!" Gross pumped his fist. "Lead on!"

And Kruger had no choice but to follow.

"You're late."

Ilona glared at the bearded, barrel-chested man before her. "Barely."

"Still late," the man said affably, offering her a cigarette.

"Back to Liberio?" Ilona shook her head. If her parents smelled smoke on her, she might as well take her own life.

"Yeah." Jack chewed on the end of a cigarette. Ilona had never known him to light one. She theorized that he only bought cigarettes to have something in his mouth, but he wouldn't tell her why. He wanted her to watch him, to figure him out herself. Like a good journalist would.

"Every month these two go on night duty. Guess how frequently Eldians die these nights."

"Almost every one, I'm guessing." Ilona pulled her father's binoculars from her jacket pocket. "These ought to help us."

"Binoculars, huh. Wish I'd thought of that myself." Jack led his protégé through the shadows.

Kruger cursed under his breath. A child, a child with an armband like any dutiful child, was huddled by the baker's across the street from the Liberio Internment Zone.

"You!" Gross shouted.

The boy gasped. A loaf of bread flew from his hand.

He'd already broken in. Kruger swallowed. He was beyond saving.

I'm sorry rose in his throat, but he'd long stopped apologizing. This was the price he paid. Funny how much he wanted to apologize now that he couldn't.

"Is that a child?" Ilona's voice rose.

"Shh." Jack grabbed the binoculars from her. "Yeah."

He handed them back to her. "I told you, we can't be caught. We gotta catch 'em in the act. Once they know someone's onto them, our story is finished. The corruption continues."

"But the act may involve dogs eating a child."

"Sacrifice is necessary." Jack scribbled on his papers as the taller of the soldiers knocked the kid back. "I don't like it either."

Life isn't the pristine fairy tale you knew, Ilona warned herself.

"Please, cry all you want. You don't have papers, you face punishment." Gross sniffed.

"But I was just trying to escape my dad. He's mad and he hurts my mom," sobbed the boy.

"Then why steal?" Kruger demanded, never afraid to be harsh before Gross. It was the only chance the boy had.

"Because I wanted to make my mom feel better." The boy wiped his impossibly round eyes. "It isn't fair."

"An Eldian stealing from a Marleyan once again. That's what's unfair," Gross replied.

"Please don't hate me," said Ilona as the dogs inched closer.

"What?"

"Just hurt me and be over it," said the boy dejectedly.

Gross's eyes gleamed. But Kruger always seemed to beat him to the punishment, damn him and his boring flavors of violence –

The boy cried out as Kruger's knee collided with his chest.

Countryman beating countryman…oppressed beating the oppressed… It never ended, did it?

"What's going on?" A voice rang out through the streets.

Kruger spun around, and Gross seized the change to latch onto the boy. His prey wasn't going anywhere.

A young woman strode forward. Though she was dressed as a street urchin, her confident tone and posture spoke otherwise.

"None of your business, whore," snarled Gross. "Get back."

Whores didn't frequent this area. Because even proximity to Liberio, proximity to an Eldian, could sully them. Even prostitutes had their honor.

The woman took another step forward, her golden eyes burning in the dull light of the lampposts. "Is it not? Really, I consider everything my business."

Gross scowled at her.

She tossed dried meat to the dogs. They devoured it and whined for more.

She'd planned this. Kruger watched her carefully.

"Hurting a child? Dear, I don't think you want to do that." She tilted her head. A sweet smile bloomed on her face. "Oh, I'm sure Mayor Minsk would be fascinated to learn what sordid business his officers are up to."

"I hardly think the Mayor would listen to the likes of you," scoffed Gross, yanking the boy's collar.

She raised her eyebrows. "I think he would. And not just him. I especially think the newspapers would love a dark tale. I think this whole city would. And we all know they'd make you the villain, no matter their audience lapping it up."

The woman stepped closer, inches from Gross's face. Her voice was sweet and lilting, and very, very sickening. "You'll be everyone's whipping boy. I shouldn't be surprised if they parade you naked through the streets, with your fat ass and balls out for everyone to see. And you know everyone would love it, because then they'll get to congratulate themselves for pitying their Eldian neighbors for once – because they're such good, generous hearts, right? All I have to do is scream."

Her face glowed. Kruger had no doubt she itched to follow through. But he knew better than to pray for Gross's wisdom. "Who are you?"

Her eyes met his. "Not a whore."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Very well: I'm someone with more connections than you. I assure you."

They glared at each other.

"What do you want?" growled Gross.

Her hand clamped onto the boy's shoulder. "Let go of him."

Gross dropped his hands. "You know, it's idiot Marleyans like you that keep us in danger. You think this boy's cute and tiny – well, he'll grow into a menace like the rest of them!"

"I think he's not the menace I see tonight."

"What will happen to the baker's store? Or to him for breaking out of camp?"

"You've already frightened him half to death, and since I'm sure you've met Baker Lenin, you should know he almost deserves it." She dipped her head. "Sergeants, good night."

"We should arrest you for breaking curfew," declared Kruger, noting the anger in Gross's eyes. He might shoot both in another moment; fighting her was all the hope she had.

"Arrest me?" she smirked. "Well, wouldn't be the first time."

"I doubt you can discredit the both of us," Kruger replied. "No matter your connections."

"Oh?" Her eyes raked Kruger up and down. "Well, then, let's forgo my connections. We're still left with you two."

"Your partner's an insecure sadist – should be easy enough to prove, right? I'm sure if I traced his records, I'd find more than enough to disgrace the both of you. And as for you, my dear, you're…attracted to me. I think I'm safe."

"What?" Kruger spluttered. That wasn't it at all –

"Isn't it?" Her eyes lingered on his trousers for a moment, just long enough to stun him. And then she was sauntering away, pushing the boy in front of her.

"Direct me to your home, kid." Ilona shuddered with adrenaline amidst the cramped streets of Liberio Interment Zone.

The skinny boy glanced back to the desolate gate. "What if they hurt you?"

She bit back a smirk. "I can look out for myself."

"What's your name?"

"I'm Ilona." Don't get attached, Jack had said. Oops. "And you?"

"I'm Tiberius. We go left." The child stopped in front of a derelict cottage. The smell of trash permeated her senses. Even in Liberio, Tiberius dwelt among the worst. "This place."

"Well, Tiberius." Ilona knelt in front of him. "You be safe, and next time you need to hide…just, don't escape Liberio."

"I know the consequences." His little shoulders slumped. "I think I wanted them to find me."

Ilona's eyes widened and her voice cracked. "No, no, no. All right, you know what?"

"What?"

"I misjudged you. Next time you need to hide, don't. You've dealt with thoughts worse than any fear."

"I have?" She recognized the shame in his eyes.

"I promise." She squeezed his hand. Mom's shadowed eyes, her pale face after staying inside for days… "I'm sneaky. I'll be watching over you. I promise."

"Really?"

"Yes." Ilona had no idea how to keep her promise, but she knew making this promise was good. She just had to figure out how.

Her heart ached as the boy trudged inside. She wanted to bring him back home with her. Maybe if she took off the armband, kept him from the rest –

But what would his family say? Perhaps his mother loved him.

Ilona moaned.

"Well, I hope your conscience is happy."

She leapt to her feet. "Jack!"

"Yeah, of course I followed you. You fall, I go down with you. I don't expect you'd last a minute in their interrogation rooms, you know."

"That's unfair!" Ilona glowered at him. Just because she was cultured – rich, fine – she was still strong.

Or was she? She looked at the house as voices echoed again. Angry voices.

"I hope you're done playing savior."

She gestured towards the house. Tiberius' home. "Does that sound like salvation?"

"Look here, girl." Jack shook her by the shoulders. Silver light crawled beyond the horizon. "Shit, is that dawn? We've got to get you home."

"But –"

"Ilona, don't be stupid and foolish tonight. I only have the patience for one at a time." Jack tugged her away. She was too tired to resist, but oh, it felt wrong to leave the child. "Look about the gate. Any guards?"

She shrugged. "None except the one still asleep in the gatehouse."

"Nah, he don't count."

"Then no one."

"Then let's go." Jack shoved her into the nearest alley. "I hope losing a story was worth it to you!"

"But we haven't."

"Not yet." He jabbed his plump finger into her face. "We don't know the full ramifications of your actions."

"I don't legally work for you. They didn't even recognize me; they certainly won't connect us." Her voice intensified. "But, Jack, we're working on this story to stir up Eldian sympathizers. They're being abused!"

"Of course we are. But we need to stop our sympathies and sacrifice a few to get the big picture and stop them. We dedicate ourselves to the mission, not to our own whims and conscience."

"Can you really sleep knowing you let a child die?"

"If one child's death saves a hundred others?"

Ilona glanced sideways at him as they scaled a tree to shortcut their way to the city's zenith. "I don't believe that."

"You don't have to. Just act as if you did." Pain shimmered off Jack's countenance.

As last, they stood outside her home, marble wrought gates and finally silent dogs. "I understand if you don't want to see me again."

"You're the most savvy writer I've had. I'm not about to lose you – but you'll lose yourself if you don't start caring less." Jack stepped back, his friendly father face intact again. "Think on that, Ilona."

And think on it she did, as she climbed the vines onto the roof, as she shimmied down her chimney, as she donned again her nightgown.

Kruger was sleep deprived and cranky when day broke, but very relieved to forfeit Gross's gross company.

As he stomped back to military headquarters, a zeppelin rose in the sky.

I'm sorry, he thought, as he did every time. There was something about the first child. He couldn't forget her. Her, he apologized to. Only her.

Did her family remember? He had to wonder.

As the light washed his graying hair and tired eyes, he found himself praying for himself. Himself, not her. He should pray for many others, but sometimes he felt so damned he could only ask for help for himself.

"Where do you think you're going?" Major Stein blocked his entrance.

"To get some damned sleep."

"We've an issue. Reports of two unauthorized individuals sneaking out of Liberio around sunrise. You were on night duty – you clean up this mess." Stein shoved an officer's statement into Kruger's hands.

"I see." Two - the woman had gone in – had she taken the kid out? He'd kill her. The last thing he needed was more Eldians posing as Marleyans. That was his job, dammit.

"Did you notice anything suspicious in your rounds last night?"

"Nothing." Just the sleeping guard, but Gross hadn't wished to awaken a witness to his crimes.

"Well. I'd suggest you start with the guard's statement and go from there. Mayor Minsk just announced an Eldian relief program. We can't allow them to take advantage of us!"

"I see." Kruger did not like changes he didn't orchestrate.

"And, er, Sergeant Major Gross has a family emergency arise, so you'll be alone." Stein's tone was at least apologetic. Everyone knew his "emergency" likely involved a need for sleep and maybe fucking his wife.

"I'm not surprised." Kruger followed his shrug with a salute. Just another day, just another traitor's salute.

When Ilona awoke, panic set in. Had she really mouthed off to two suspects? She ought to ensure they not wreck her story. Jack's story.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" she growled as she hopped into her favorite lilac dress.

"Lady Ilona?" A maid tapped on the door.

"Yes, open – I mean, you can open, Sophia." Ilona smiled dutifully.

"Your father wishes to see you immediately."

"Of course." She hurried downstairs to the family parlor. Pale light streamed in enormous windows overlooking blooming, fragrant flowers. "Father, is something the matter?"

"Goodness." Mom gasped. "You look tired. Are you not sleeping?"

"Sometimes I prefer to daydream than to dream, that's all." Ilona flashed a smile at her mother. "Don't worry. It was my own fault."

"Ilona," said her father with a smile. "Awhile ago you petitioned for us to assemble food and clothing for the Eldian unfortunates."

"Oh." Ilona blinked. "Two months ago, I believe."

And Father'd dismissed it. So she'd joined Jack's story. Because before she married off some Marleyan officer and lived a dutiful life, she was determined to change something.

"Yes. Well, I've raised the issue with the council – it's not popular, you know. But you'll be pleased to know a hundred years of relative peace has convinced most of the council at least some of those devils are good, after all."

"I can help organize aid for the Eldians?" Ilona interrupted.

Perhaps this was good. Perhaps she could work more for Jack by interviewing those who'd lost to Gross and Kruger –

"Indeed. But you'll be careful. I want you to be in the presence of guards at all times." Father's eyes filled with pride. "You really are such a good soul, Ilona."

But would you say that if you knew? Ilona dismissed the thought and threw her arms around her father. She could return to Liberio. She could watch over Tiberius and work on Jack's story.

Life was beautiful.