CHAPTER 26Bands of cyan and magenta clouds glowed in the darkening sky over the Arboretum, casting an eerie backdrop for the contrasting yellows and greens that emitted through the walls of the Arboretum atop the plateau. Shadows already engulfed the barrens while ambient light danced on the flowing river currents that swirled in the moat. The water was utmost in Mara’s mind as she watched the ramp at the base of the building retract like a spider tucking a leg beneath its carapace.
She lowered the binoculars and glanced to Ping, who stood next to her at the end of the trail leading into the barrens. “You think it will work?” she asked.
“Given the ambient coolness of the air, it should provide enough cover for us to cross the barrens without being detected. If you raise the temperature o
