Numbers Ignite Read Online Free Page B

NORA so close.” I felt a prick as she plunged the needle into my thigh. Within seconds the fire in my ankle receded.
    I felt my shoulders relax. “That’s amazing. I barely feel anything.”
    “Our medications are far superior to those in NORA,” she said, withdrawing the needle. “Your government refuses to allow outside technology. They’re significantly behind the rest of the world.”
    As the pain faded, I let myself sink into the blanket again. What had I told Coltrane again? “I’m Amy.”
    “And where are you headed, Amy? It doesn’t look like you have any supplies.”
    “My stuff was stolen.”
    She waited for me to continue, but when I didn’t, she nodded again. “Very well. We’ve had a couple of NORA refugees stop by on their way to the mountains. I’m going to assume you’re among the group recently released and headed back to their clans?”
    “Of course.” It was mostly true, but I felt guilty for implying even that much. I put my palm against the hard dirt wall beside me. It was smooth, and a faint powder coated my fingers when I pulled them away. “What is this place?”
    Lillibeth took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and let it out. “You’re safe. That’s all you need to know right now. Our community accepts all wanderers, including the injured and worn of spirit, no matter their past, as they will you. Assuming you’re peaceable, of course.” A glint of anger appeared in her eyes, and then it was gone.
    You’ve killed us all. The voices from my nightmares echoed in my mind, and I pushed it away. “No question of that.”
    “If you’re going to stay here, however, you’ll need to agree to the pact.” She pasted a sweet smile on her face. “Now, hold still so I can check your bandages.” She bent over my leg and pulled the corner up.
    “What is the pact?” I prompted, wincing at the pressure on my swollen ankle.
    Satisfied, she lowered the bandage. “You must agree to leave your past at the door. Peace is our first and only law. Weapons are outlawed. Those who resort to violence to solve their problems are disciplined and released into the wild to live like the animals they have become.”
    I must have looked horrified because she met my stare with one of her own. I swallowed and tried to control my expression. “Even children?”
    “The laws apply after puberty. For most of us, that occurs by age fifteen.”
    “Interesting.” I wondered what Vance would have thought of this law. I could almost see the amused grin on his face.
    “You don’t agree with our laws,” Lillibeth noted. “That’s a result of your background. But if you want to remain here while your leg heals, those are the conditions. Is there any reason why you can’t fulfill them?”
    I stared at her, wondering what experiences this woman had had to make her think NORA citizens were violent. She was certainly insistent. “I can agree to that,” I said. “I promise to follow your pact of peace.”
    She nodded, satisfied. “We have thrived for nearly five decades underground. Unfortunately, as you can imagine, not much grows down here. We have to trade for most of what we need. Which brings me to an uncomfortable subject.”
    Underground . How deep I couldn’t tell. The air stirred around me, which had to mean a ventilation system somewhere. The technology they must have had to carve out an underground home and keep it secret for decades was overwhelming.
    Then I realized that Lillibeth was watching me expectantly. I squirmed. “Sorry. I’m listening.”
    “You used the last of our rattlesnake antivenom,” she said. “Extremely expensive. We get it from a goat farmer a hundred kilometers east, and he doesn’t come out for two more months. If someone else gets bitten before then, we’ll be in big trouble.” Lillibeth pulled a piece of paper and started scribbling something on it.
    “Oh. Sorry,” I said, unsure what to say.
    She looked up from her notes and gave a wry smile. “Well,