Read Fall of Sky City (A Steampunk Fantasy Sci-Fi Adventure Novel) (Devices of War) for Free Online Page A

through the bars.
    Anger won. I stepped forward, my hand on my sword.
    Father stopped me, his eyes troubled with sorrow.
    Queen Nix turned and smiled. “Do you wish to declare war?”
    “Let them go,” I commanded, my voice ragged. “What have they done to you?”
    She walked toward me like a prowling sky cat. Her nose nearly touched mine, all semblance of beauty twisted with rage. “They refused to submit to me.”
    I stared at her aghast, my hands clenched, my jaw tight. “So because you couldn’t control them, you destroy them?”
    The fury turned cold across her features as she drew away, her shoulders back.
    “Are you so weak?” The muscles in my cheek twitched.
    Father took a step toward us. “Perhaps we can reach a mutual agreement.”
    A little boy cried out, the scream turning to ravaged sobs.
    I let out a growl. “You will stop this!”
    The queen turned her eagle-eyed stare to me. “I do not take orders from a mere boy.”
    “Queen Nix,” Father started, “let us be reasonable.”
    She took a step back and assessed him.
    “The Umira have always been a peaceful Family.” My father’s hands were wide and low, his expression open.
    Her eyes flared as she advanced on him. “You’ve allied yourself with them.”
    Father’s eyes widened as he took a half step back.
    Saqr puffed out his feathers and opened his wings, showing his defiance.
    I watched in alarm, unsure of what to do. My father was the strongest man I had ever known. I’d never seen him back away from anyone.
    The queen grabbed his coat and pulled his face close to hers. “The Umira have always been a peaceful Family, so imagine my surprise when they assaulted us with cannons and weapons.”
    “They have the right to defend themselves, Nix.”
    “Not against me.” She pushed him away and turned to her gathering guard. “Take him and his heathen son. Throw them on the pyre.”
    Father drew his sword and faced the guard. “Go, Synn, now!”
    Our men drew their weapons and stood by his side.
    “I’m not leaving you.” I gripped my swords tightly. I was ready to die an honorable death by my father’s side.
    He backhanded me and roared, “You will protect our people, Synn Kadar El’Asim.”
    I was torn. I wanted so badly to fight beside him, to protect him.
    But Father had given me an order. One I could not ignore.
    I turned, sheathed my blades, and ran.
    The cries of the Umira fueled me. If I could just make it to the Yusrra Samma , to my home, we could launch an attack and save those who were still alive.
    Men in black and red blocked my path to the door.
    I veered away. I’d go around.
    With a shout, they followed. I pushed my feet harder, to move faster. There were no ropes, no rigging, nothing I could use to assist me in my haste. I had only my feet, but that had to be enough. The cabin reached nearly to the railing, but there was enough room for me to squeeze through at a full run. There was only open sky to one side with nothing to grab onto but sleek smooth metal.
    A man in a black, shining leather long coat and a top hat emblazoned with a red spider barred my path.
    There wasn’t enough room to maneuver my swords. I pulled out my static array pistol and let off a bolt.
    The man fell out of the way.
    Huh! It’d actually worked.
    As soon as I was clear of the cabin, it was just me and an open deck. The gang plank had been removed and the Yusrra Samma was nowhere to be seen. My eyes scanned the skies, remembering Father’s last command, but she wasn’t above us.
    The crack of a pistol filled the air over the noise of the engines. I didn’t have a lot of time. I knew Isra wouldn’t abandon Father. I tucked my pistol into my belt – not so easy to do when running – and leapt.
    There she was, about one hectometre below us.
    Something latched around my chest and yanked me upwards.
    My hands automatically went to it. Oiled rope.
    I landed on the deck hard and slid a few feet with the force of the throw. I struggled to