When Copper Suns Fall by Kasonndra Leigh Read Free Book Online Page A

over his eyes. Two girls strolled by, giggled,
and waved at Jalen who didn’t return the favor.
    “News feed time. I got carded. Micah might be
facing an early termination. And did you catch that last part?”
    He slumped. “I know. I’m just saying you’re
not on trial at this very second. Anyway, James the super Historian
dad can handle everything, right?” I shook my head. Would my super
father be able to have a citation removed? For some reason, I
didn’t find much comfort in the idea. Even those of us with parents
working for the Tribunal could push the Judges’ patience to the
extreme. And I did not want to be the one put on display as the
token girl.
    I glanced at my watch, seven ten p.m. I could
tell Father I had to work late. He’d smell my lie from a mile away.
Plus, I was already burdened with the card explanation. Sometimes
he treated me like a ten-year-old instead of a girl about to turn
sixteen. But I dealt with his worries because of the kids who had
disappeared. Our city wasn’t the only place where that was getting
worse. The other seven Boroughs also reported more disappearances
every day.
    We trudged up the gravel path lined by trees
on either side. The walkway led up to the Shack sitting at the top
of a sand dune. The restored fort, a hulk of a cinder block, was
high up on a hill overlooking the ocean. It sat between openings in
the Great Wall, looking like a square-shouldered giant held in
place by wire chains.
    We took our places in a line circling the
building. Ahead of us, two SOCS strolled past the bouncer who was
too busy making jokes to see them. Slapping the card machine, he
laughed until tears streamed down his face. There was free entry
for everybody tonight. Bouncers weren’t known as jokesters, and
they never let anyone through without identification.
    So what was this guy’s deal?
    The good news? We didn’t have to use Jalen’s
fake I.D. cards. I didn’t need to be cited twice in the same night,
and Jalen didn’t need a first go round. Then, he’d find himself
stuck on baby brother duty all month again.
    The bad part? Everybody from any age group,
class, or animal species got in. Translation: Illusionists might be
stalking the party. I’d already been targeted by one of their most
charming tonight and did not want to repeat the experience. Against
my instinct, I followed Jalen through the entrance surrounded by
gold, ruby, and blushed pink coleus—beauty guarding the monster’s
mouth.
    Inside the Shack, I could almost feel the
hormones. Decorated for the costing’s Falling Lights Festival, the
place was filled with kids enjoying a week of freedom from dress
codes. The walls were covered in purple metal mâché. The black
sequined floor had flashing lights that outlined the dancers in a
jagged combination of heads and arms. Steamers stood in the two
corners behind the stage across the room, releasing clouds of
throat-tingling smoke into the air. Fumes spiraled into the
nighttime air of the ceiling less Shack. Two more of the
twelve-foot-tall machines sat in opposite corners at the back of
the room. Steam shot out in rhythm with the music’s beat.
    Above us, the sky put on the most incredible
show of the year. The atmosphere still held remains of
radioactivity that played off the setting sun’s rays at night. The
clouds reflected a natural tangle of pink, gold, and green lights,
making them appear to be falling over the club like string
fireworks.
    On any other night, I would probably think
they were beautiful. But tonight, my heavy heart and the card in my
pocket killed the last bit of joy I had inside me. And I still felt
woozy. Nothing could distract me from that.
    I scanned the crowds to find Lexa, and
spotted her cap, a bright red mixed in with all the dark outfits.
She was dancing with a boy I didn’t recognize. The three of them
played a role in Jalen’s secret trip earlier. Something he still
hadn’t filled me in on yet.
    “See, even Lex is having fun. Leave