Extracted (34 page)

Lex leans back on his palms. “I knew there was a reason I liked that guy.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah. Right. He also wants to take me on vacation. Disneyland or something. Says we need some R and R.”

“Also a solid plan.”

I pause, taking a breath. “But the thing is, you don’t really fight, do you? I mean, you get into fights, but it isn’t really the same thing. I want to protect people like us. Maybe the way Tesla did things wasn’t perfect, but there has to be a better way to live than as thieves. I mean, we almost exploded the universe, Lex. And for what?”

Lex cocks his head, looking at me thoughtfully. “Them sounds like fightin’ words, Ember.”

I just nod, looking off into the distance. The common room is quiet. It’s early. Most of the Hollows are still fast asleep.

“I just mean, it never should have happened. This fight between Tesla and the Hollows, it’s doing too much damage. Too many people are getting caught in the crossfire.”

Lex juts out his bottom lip. “I still think Brain Face deserves a little payback for what he’s done.”

“He really hasn’t done anything wrong—”

“Except lie to you. And create a giant robot to kill you. And dump dozens of Rifters into the time stream to die.”

I shift uncomfortably.

He continues, “Let me just ask you one question. What do you think he’d have done to us if we’d handed over the Dox and let him repair the paradox?”

I clench my jaw. “He probably would have killed Stein and Ethan and taken us back to the Institute.”

“And then?”

I sigh. The truth is, I have no idea. Brainwash us? Experiment on us? Throw us in a dark room and throw away the key? I can’t imagine he just wants to have a tea party, that’s for sure.

I stand, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Look, we’ll talk about it more when I get back.”

“So you are coming back then? For sure?”

“Of course I am. Try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone. And no more stealing. I mean it, Lex.”

He shrugs, looking up at me with his jester’s hat dangling to the side and a big smile on his face. “No promises.”

A
CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First, we would like to thank our stalwart friends and family who understand why we neglect them sometimes to talk to our imaginary friends. Without your love and support, we would be nothing.

We would also like to thank our amazing team at Spencer Hill Press. Kate, who took a risk on something new (and Danielle and Patricia who begged her to do it!). Lisa, who gave us the only cover we ever fell in love with. To our editors, Patricia and Danielle (AKA Wonder Woman and Super Girl) for their enthusiasm, support, and the countless hours of hard work polishing our manuscript until it shined. To Kendra, our marketing guru and the person who listened to all our crazy ideas and turned them into reality. Laura, Briana, and Anna, for their excitement and feedback. And of course, the A-team of copyeditors who put all the commas in the right place. And Rich—Rich the man made of awesome. You are the best closer ever! We could not have asked for a wiser, kinder, more wonderful publishing family.

Another special thanks to all the amazing bloggers who came out to help support Extracted in its early days. There are too many to thank individually, but please know that your support means the world to a couple wannabe time travel authors. Especially you, Kayleigh-Marie Gore and Brooke Watts DelVecchio! Big hugs and cyber cookies!

On the list of thanks, we need to mention all the wonderful people at GearCon 2012 who showed us the ropes, let us play with the cool kids, and listened to us talk about a book that wouldn’t see the light of day for over a year. Especially Chris, from Wells & Verne, who introduced us to all her cool friends. The whole Portland Steampunk community welcomed us with open arms, so thanks! We can’t wait to see you all again in 2013!

We also want to thank Mary, personal assistant extraordinaire who took care of the boring stuff so we could play and who keeps all the websites/blogs/pages up and running when we slack off. Cathy and Doreene, who encouraged the story and were the first people to set eyes on it. Danette, whose love, encouragement, advice, and web design are worth their weight in gold. And to Matt Hudson, who introduced us and set the whole thing in motion. Little did he know the monster he was creating.

Last, but never least, we would to thank you, the reader who has picked up this book and decided to take this journey with us. Without readers, a book is just a whisper that’s never heard. Thank you for opening the pages and breathing it to life. We hope you enjoy Lex and Ember’s story as much as we do.

Thank you.

A
UTHORS’
N
OTES

Nikola Tesla lived from 1856-1943. He was an inventor, physicist, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, and futurist. He is best known for his contributions to the modern alternating current (AC) electrical supply system. Tesla’s patents and theoretical work helped form the basis of wireless communication and radio.

His many revolutionary developments in the field of electromagnetism were based on Michael Faraday’s theories of electromagnetic technology. His last remaining laboratory, Wardenclyffe Tower, was sold in 1917 when funding ran out for his experiments into wireless energy, which he dreamed he could one day give freely to all humanity. The Tower was sold and eventually demolished. However, today the laboratory and the foundation of the Tower remain intact. Recently, a non-profit group purchased the property—it plans to turn it into the Tesla Science Museum. It will be the only Tesla Museum in the United States, and it will stand as a tribute to a man who is often overlooked in the records of scientific history.

The Last Imperial Family of Russia, the Romanovs, has one of the darkest histories of the twentieth-century. The family, being forced to abdicate the throne in the early days of Communism, was held prisoner for over a year. The last 55 days of their captivity took place in Ekaterinburg, Russia. It was there, in a place called Ipatiev House in the early hours of July 17, 1918, that the family members and their household, eleven people in total, were sent to the basement and brutally murdered by Bolshevik soldiers. The remains were then stripped, mutilated, and buried in a mass grave in a nearby forest.

Many years later, the remains of nine bodies were found and identified as those of the Imperial family and their staff. The two missing bodies were believed to be those of Alexei and Anastasia Romanov.

In 1998, eighty years after their murder, those nine bodies were laid to rest in a state funeral in St. Petersburg. Sometime later, pieces of remains some believe belong to the lost Romanov children were found far from the first gravesite. While they have been tested and found to be genetically similar, the Greek Orthodox Church and many others have challenged their authenticity.

Today, the remains of the Lost Imperials have not been laid to rest.

This poem was written by the Grand Duchess Olga Romanova and was found among her belongings after their murder.

Give patience, Lord, to us Thy children
In these dark, stormy days to bear
The persecution of our people,
The tortures falling to our share.

Give strength, Just God, to us who need it,
The persecutors to forgive,
Our heavy, painful cross to carry
And Thy great meekness to achieve.

When we are plundered and insulted
In days of mutinous unrest
We turn for help to Thee, Christ-Savior,
That we may stand the bitter test.

Lord of the world, God of Creation,
Give us Thy blessing through our prayer
Give us peace of heart to us, O Master,
This hour of utmost dread to bear.

And on the threshold of the grave
Breathe power divine into our clay
That we, Thy children, may find strength
In meekness for our foes to pray.

A
BOUT
THE
A
UTHORS

Tyler H. Jolley is a sci-fi/fantasy author and full-time orthodontist and periodontist (see: Overachiever). He divides his spare time between writing, reading, mountain biking, and camping with his family.

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full-time writer and internet radio show host with more mouth than good sense. She has a serious book addiction, but continually refuses treatment, much to her husband’s chagrin.

Tyler and Sherry met one fateful day and bonded over their love for books, science fiction, and donuts. Their first co-written novel came shortly after. Now, they still do all those other things, but also go to various steampunk conventions and events under the guise of “research.” They can often be found lurking on the Lost Imperials Facebook page or over on the official website:
www.thelostimperials.com
.