The Dream Thief by Kari Kilgore (books for 10th graders txt) 📕

think folks around here would enjoy seeing me break your neck," he said. "Don't tempt any of us."

For the first time, the boy knew when to keep his mouth shut. He shuffled forward with his head down until they got to the door of Walton's office, ignoring the questions shouted at both of them now. He finally resisted at the door, pushing back against Karl.

"You can't get far tied up like this," Karl said. "We do have an airship, Rullin. You won't be able to hide. Get it over with. Face it like a man."

As soon as they were though the door, Walton crossed the room in three quick steps and punched Rullin in the stomach. Karl winced as the boy doubled over, wheezing. This was part of what they'd discussed, but it was still hard to watch.

Walton leaned down and nearly growled into Rullin's ear.

"You bloody monster, attacking a little boy like that. If I had my way, we'd string you up, roast you alive, and share you out to all the pigs and goats."

Rullin finally managed to catch enough air to stand up straight, but Bill now stood right in front of him.

"You bastard," he whispered. "Are you going to let him talk to me like that?"

"Yes, Rullin, I am," Bill said. "I told you before we landed that you'd had your last chance. You've pissed it away right proper. Whatever happens to you here is your own doing."

"Here?" Rullin said, his voice rising. "You're leaving me here, in the middle of blasted nowhere?"

The panic in Rullin's voice showed he was already more than half the way to outright terror.

"I am." Tears were brimming in Bill's eyes. Karl wished he could believe they were part of the act. "I'm leaving you here. I've wasted more than enough time and effort. You drew your fate around you. Now you have to live with it."

Rullin's narrow face went bright red, his shout deafening in the tiny room.

"When Father and Mother hear of this, they'll disown you!"

"You really think so?" Bill said. "They washed their hands of you when they sent you to me, remember? Could be true, though, if they ever heard of it. You see, Rullin, no one here knows our parents. And no one here cares. As far as they'll ever know, you'll just disappear overboard, exactly as I should have done with you myself a long time ago."

Loretta walked in a slow circle around Rullin. She didn't bother drawing her knives.

"If he doesn't want to stay here, you can just turn him over to me." The smooth tone of her voice was enough to keep the young man silent and starting straight ahead. "I'll take him back up to my grandmother's house, and the rest of you needn't be bothered. I'll return alone."

Rullin turned to Karl, still standing against the door. He sounded defiant, but his voice gave away how badly he was shaking.

"Nothing to say? Can't think of anything else to threaten me with?"

Karl's attacks had been made, all of them against the young man's already weakened mind.

"There's nothing I can add, Rullin. I was the one who kept Loretta from carving you up. Twice. I kept Gemma from electrifying you, and I have no doubt she could have. Thing is, I'm not standing in their way anymore. Neither is your brother. You had more chances than anyone deserves. You're on your own."

"Get out, then," Rullin said. "Go. Just leave me here to rot."

Rullin knelt, not easy with the way Karl had him bound, shifting until he sat on the floor. He refused to look up, even when everyone but Walton left the room.

Chapter 34

Karl stood beside Loretta, watching the village drop beneath them. The airship's circling angle of departure would be clearly visible from Rullin's cell.

"I wish you'd told me Bill would actually leave," Karl said. "I never would have said anything."

"And why is that, Karl?" she said. "As far as I can tell, you're still very much out of your element up here."

"I am, but—"

"But nothing. I know these people and how they think. The whole village has to believe it. What if one of them is reporting back to whoever's behind it all? This is the best chance we have of finding out who's pulling Rullin's strings. And you're the one who had the best idea of all."

He groaned. "Don't remind me. That might have been the worst idea I ever had. Nobody might be pulling his strings."

"If no one is, then he's out of everyone's hair permanently," she said. "Care to argue with that outcome?"

Karl watched the village a few seconds longer, then turned to Loretta. The afternoon light caught those amazing eyes, and the wind blew through her black hair.

He cursed himself for a fool for not making love to her the night before. Too much company in a small house, not to mention Morgan so badly beaten, had spoiled the mood before it ever really got started. But even when his mind was so jumbled and upset, he wanted her more than ever.

"No, I can't argue," he said. "This just seems...risky."

"If things are as connected as we both think," she said, "it's a huge risk. But not nearly as bad as not finding out at all."

A voice Karl had trouble recognizing spoke from right behind them.

"Excuse me." They turned to see Bill, clothes and hair properly arranged but still not his normal supremely confident self. "Our new passenger is a bit confused about why we're headed into the mountains rather than inland. I thought you might want to explain it."

Loretta put her gloved hand in his.

"I truly do hope this helps, Bill. If Rullin believes he's had his last chance, maybe he'll try to change his ways."

"I have no expectation of that happening," Bill said. "After he betrayed me by attacking you yet again, I'm afraid I must give him up as a bad job. If this gives you information you can use to protect yourself, it's worth