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“There’s something there,” I admit, keeping my facial expressions to a minimum.
“What’s wrong?” Skylenna leans in, looking suspicious. “Why’re you so reserved?”
I shrug again.
“It’s because of what Kaspias said, isn’t it?”
I let out the breath I’ve been holding.
Ruth nudges me again. “Who cares? Let’s pretend he never said it, okay? Tell us the truth.”
“I might like her,” I mutter, feeling bad for possibly having a thing for the potential traitor. “She’s pretty.”
She’s more than pretty. Living in a fucked-up society where the women starve themselves…I’ve never seen a woman who hasn’t. Her soft curves and appetite are beautiful. Stunning. I’ve become infatuated with her confidence, her shape, her disregard for the lady-doll regimen rules. And that’s not even mentioning that radiant crimson hair. The smoldering depth of those sapphire blue eyes. What’s not to like?
“We’re your best friends, Niles. You can tell us everything,” Skylenna says with a smile, giving me the push I needed to spill.
My emotions burst like a balloon in their faces. “We kissed at the Ecstasy Dance. Holy hell, it was amazing. Seriously. The kiss was a show of fireworks. A phenomenon made possible by the stars. I was immediately attracted to her, obviously. She’s a beauty, right? But she’s been telling me how I’ve been her favorite story in the prophecies she’s heard about as a kid. It’s the first time I’ve felt important. Special. Legendary.”
I look down to see Ruth and Skylenna holding my hands, stroking my scarred skin with their thumbs.
“I feel good with her,” I add shyly.
Skylenna releases a pent-up breath. “Kaspias better have been lying. I’m so happy for you, Niles.”
I hope to God he was lying, too.
30. Missing
Skylenna
“Line up for a headcount!” Helga Bee translates as we scramble to understand why everyone is running around.
The inmates form a line that stretches through the stairs of the stadium. Sentinels do a thorough walkthrough, counting, adding, and counting again.
“What’s going on?” I ask, as we’re allowed to disperse again once they’re done.
Helga Bee shrugs casually. “Massacre.”
“Come again?” Dessin narrows his eyes.
“There was an execution a league away from the prison, but everyone was slaughtered. No witnesses. No idea what happened, Beetle Brain. At least that’s the rumor.”
My head snaps over in Dessin and Warrose’s direction. “Do you think…”
“It might be.” Dessin nods.
“That does sound like something DaiSzek would do,” Warrose agrees.
Hope and an everlasting love rumble through my bloodstream. They’re coming for us.
We have to help them, break out of here early. Dessin seems to be thinking the same thing as his eyes shift from left to right, going over ideas, blueprints, a plan.
“I got separated from Ruth,” Niles calls from behind me.
I scan the crowd of prisoners still parting. I search for that small, curly head of brunette hair. “Ruth!” I shout over the grumbling voices.
“Ruthie!” Niles yells with me.
