Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 144277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 721(@200wpm)___ 577(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 721(@200wpm)___ 577(@250wpm)___ 481(@300wpm)
“Um.” I shrug. “OK. But we’re in a rush. So unfortunately—”
“Mr. Scott, please don’t insult my intelligence. I know who you are and you aren’t in a rush. Your only purpose here is to blow up Extraction Towers along the bright line.”
I instantly become annoyed. But then, confused. “Bright line?” Because the only reference I have for this phrase comes from the words I recite during Extraction ceremonies.
A line so bright in the dead sandy world that resides outside the safety of these walls. That is what we are. We are what’s left of the human race after the Great Sweep and every day that we exist is a blessing bestowed upon us by the god who resides inside the tower behind me.
“You’re…” I suddenly can’t breathe.
He tilts his head at me, questioning. “I’m…?”
“You’re the god. The god of this… factory?”
He sighs. “Like I said, we have a lot to talk about. Now, if you’re quite done with your excuses, please.” He steps aside, waving his hand at the door, inviting me to walk through it.
This is when I realize he didn’t come alone.
Because behind him is a whole group of those workers. Blank white faces, gleaming white bodies, and every single one of them is holding a weapon. I might not know what these weapons are called or how they work, or what they do—but there is no doubt in my mind that we do not want to find out.
So what choice do I have?
I turn, take Jasina’s hand, whisper, “It’s OK. We’ll be OK.” And then I lead her through the door.
Jasina and I walk side by side down the corridor with the god. Half of the workers behind us, the other half in front of us, leading the way.
We are not led back the way Jasina and I came, instead we exit the Matron tower and walk along a debris-laden pathway that runs along the tertiary canal just outside. We cross a bridge, then another, finally coming out between the Maiden Tower and a cluster of shops.
Here, the god overtakes us, leading the way towards the God’s Tower.
We follow, obviously.
We’re going up the steps when Jasina squeezes my hand, whispering, “We’re going inside.”
Indeed, we are. Because we climb all the way up the steps to the God’s Tower Stage and head straight for those giant, black double doors. They swing open before we arrive, and even though I don’t gasp out loud the way Jasina does, I’m feeling the same awe.
Despite everything that’s happened in the past weeks, I cannot forget that this tower was the purpose of everything in Tau City. This tower loomed over us, like a lord. Filling the air with spark-fueled expectations and anxiety. And now, here I am, inside it. The forbidden tower. The unknown tower. The mysterious center of my whole existence.
Immediately, we find ourselves in a luxurious lobby with no signs of decay at all. The lobby is similar to the ones in the Maiden Tower and Extraction Tower, but much, much more. The walls are a slate blue stone, not cream-colored plaster. But they are soothing and smooth. Little gold veins slither across the dark bits, making it glitter.
The furnishings are, again, much like the furnishings you’d find in any up-city tower lobby. But grander. Bigger. The couches, the chairs—they’re all covered in a gold fabric and there are accent pillows the color of the walls. Which is a very nice combination of colors, even with my uncaring and untrained eye for décor.
The lobby is massive, but in my estimation only takes up about half of the interior space of the tower. Shooting off in just about every direction like spokes on a wheel, are hallways. There has to be two dozen of them, at least. It’s impossible to see where they lead, because each one of them curves to the left or right only a few feet in.
“Feel free to gawk,” the god says. “It’s impressive and you’ve never been here, so it’s not bothering me at all.” He looks over his shoulder at us, a knowing smile on his face.
“How do you know so much about us?” I ask.
His reply is dry. “Patience, Extraction Master. We have a long climb.” Then he points up to the top of the tower, which feels like a very long distance away, and we begin to ascend the wide, spiraling stairwell.
“Do you entertain guests here?” Jasina suddenly asks.
I’m not expecting the god to answer her since he just shot down my question, but he does. And he’s not the least bit rude about it. “Occasionally, I do.”
“Who?” Jasina demands. I squeeze her hand, giving her a subtle, but firm reproach for the tone of her voice—this is a god, after all. But she ignores me. “I mean, who is coming to see a god? Our god never had visitors.”