than coal fire, and every now and then we saw things like cacti or succulents growing out of tin cans and teapots. This was the thieves’ hideout. But where were the stolen supplies? In one of the train cars, maybe?
They marched us forward, toward the train itself, and as we turned to walk on the sunny side of it, someone said, “Don’t tell me these are the ones who have been prowling around the campground, trying to find us?”
A jolt of shock went through me, and Asa and I turned toward the voice.
In a patch of sun, a pale girl, heavily freckled, was sitting cross-legged on a bit of fabric. She wore her light brown hair tied up in a scarf, cutoff shorts, boots, a man’s work shirt with a patch that said “Ralph” with the word “Texaco” just above it. What was strangest was that she was absolutely covered with jewelry, including several bangles and necklaces that looked to be made of things like buttons and bottle caps, teeth and bones, and her nails were long and varnished with purple. A purple crystal hung around her neck, and somehow I knew immediately that it was her imbued object, just like my penny. Was this the girl who cast the illusion spell?
“We’ll see,” Judith said. “The boss in there?”
“She’s out back,” said the girl. “Where did you find these two? And why did you bring them here now? You know we’ll just have to kill them.” (Next to me, Asa gulped audibly.)
“Long story,” said Zo. “We’ll tell you after they’re dead.”
“All right,” the girl said. She smiled brightly and added, “Nice meeting y’all.”
Then we were shoved past her and ushered along, parallel to the train. We passed window after window, our reflections pale in dusty glass panes, interrupted by sheeted windows, and returning in new glass panes. Even our shadows looked frightened.
At the back of the train, the ravine came to a dead end where a landslide had brought boulders down, cutting off the train tracks and half the train. Standing in the sandy clearing, smoking a hand-rolled cigarette, was a tall, slim figure in a battered Stetson, dingy, cuffed jean shirt, and dark pants. As we approached, she turned and pulled down the red bandanna that covered her nose and mouth. I nearly stopped dead in my tracks. She was older, taller, harder-looking, but I would know her anywhere.
Olivia Rosales.
Beside me, I heard Asa make a sound, a gasp of recognition? Of terror? I wasn’t sure. But somehow, seeing her was affecting him as much as it affected me.
“What is it?” she said, her voice flat with impatience. Under her shirt, I could see a bit of bandage poking out—and a spot of blood seeping through to the outside of her shirt. I remembered the streak of blood on the wall. Had she been the one who had gotten shot?
“We found these two in one of the caves out on the west side,” said Zo. Olivia scanned our faces, then turned away. She didn’t remember me, but why should she?
“We thought you’d—” Judith started.
“No,” she said, turning away again.
“Liv,” said Zo, taking a step toward Olivia as Judith held us in place. “They’re the ones. They’re the ones who set the trap. They’re the reason you were shot. They kept us from getting the medicine for Susanah.”
“You must be Morevna’s new Successor, then,” she said, not seeming impressed in the slightest. She turned to Asa. “And you’re the new guy. The one who wandered into this hellhole and got trapped.” Her eyes flickered over him. “Hmmmm. You’re kinda cute, though.”
Zo rolled her eyes.
Olivia looked at us for a moment more, then waved her hand and said, “Take them out back and shoot them. Make sure to throw their bodies far enough to keep the Laredo Boys off our tracks. Keep the components belt, though. Cassie can use it or something.”
“But, Liv, look at what they had,” Zo said. She held Asa’s photograph up for her to see. On the back, I could make out a sentence in Spanish.
Olivia squinted at the photograph. Then she turned white. She snatched the photograph out of Zo’s hands.
“Which one of you had this?” she demanded.
“The cute one did,” said Zo. Judith shoved Asa forward.
“Well?” she said, looking him in the eye. I held my breath.
“My name is, uh… Asa Skander, Miss… Olivia, I presume?” he said. “I… er… I lived in your old house for a brief period. And I found this in—”