“Yeah, but they want me dead more than you.”
He opens his mouth to retort, probably to say the death threat is equal at this point, but then closes it quickly. Instead he looks me in the eye. “Let’s not fight about who the Vencrin want dead more.”
He’s right. I have more important things to worry about. Like if Beckman wants to kill me, too. Because if he does, our cage-casting showdown is only days away and I’ve handed him the perfect opportunity.
I’ve committed one of the worst mistakes an undercover operative can make—I’ve underestimated my target. The posters are a new level of brilliance, one I didn’t think the Vencrin were capable of. Within a day the pieces of paper litter the streets. They hang from market stalls, on the windows of most restaurants, even from flying stations. Now, everyone who sees Night or the Red Woman can alert the Vencrin. We are being hunted through paper and blotchy ink.
Within mere hours the Red Woman becomes a household name. I know because she’s discussed in my own home the next afternoon. Reviewed in the hallways, debated between patient beds, whispered about among palace staff as they go about their duties. Riya, with growing suspicion, wants to talk about her during any spare moment we take a breath from training. Eventually the news becomes important enough that it reaches my father’s desk.
The parchment my father has facedown and tucked beneath other paperwork has to be one of the posters. It curls at the edges like wind has beaten it against the side of a building for too long. I tense on reflex, but Iknewthis moment was coming. Ever since Beckman’s trash unfurled in front of me, I expected she, or rather I, would be brought to my father’s attention.
He holds up the poster and clears his throat. “My daily meeting today was about the Red Woman. I’ll have to make a statement soon about how we view her and what actions we plan to take. I’m sure everyone has heard the rumors.”
“What do your advisors and the Belwar rajas say?” I jump in. I’ve been waiting impatiently for this moment. With open discussion I can obtain information without my overt curiosity becoming suspicious. I just hope my family sides with my other identity when it comes to what will be done.
“Most recommend that she be stopped.”
I drop my spoon, and desperately try to steady my voice for the next question that needs to be asked. “They mean to kill her?”
“No, I think the Guard wish to understand her motives, then use her. They say she is a powerful red forte.” He pauses and his eyes brighten.
Blood, does he know? Can he sense it? Can he see my hands bundling and twisting my napkin under the table?
“Adraa. You worked with many red magic users after you created firelight. Could you imagine any of them being the Red Woman?”
I choke back panic, thankful this time that I gave up eating. Still, I play with the curry dish, to present a false casualness. “Ah, not sure, I tested them only on the one spell, so I don’t really know what any of them are fully capable of.”
I feel Prisha’s eyes.
“But you could help narrow down the suspects,” Father barrels onward.
“Noteveryred forte came to be tested,” I try to reason.
“Still. Talk to our Guard. See if you can help their investigation.”
Mother leans forward. “I don’t know. Mrs. Burman says this Red Woman is only going after Vencrin. I’m so tired of all these Bloodlurst addicts in the clinic, some mere kids trying to increase their Touches and burning out forever. In Pire, those with power are meant to stand against those that abuse the gods’ Touch. That’s the whole purpose of our leadership.”
My mouth falls open, and it feels like my brain has too. After all these years of “do this,” “wear that,” “stand up straight,” my mother has finally approved of my actions. Of course, she doesn’t know they’re mine, but still. She supports Jaya Smoke, who in some ways is the total opposite of how my mother tried to raise me.
Prisha takes a bite of her dosa and nods. “I agree with Mother. They’re criminals.”
This from my younger sister! Now, if sheknewit was me under that red mask, her opinion would not be of admiration.
Father’s voice rises. “Even so, the Red Woman dishonors the truth accords. We have no real way of knowing what her goal is. She could be trying to undermine our right to lead.”
Why would I try to take away my own destiny?My heart pumps hard and fast. My father truly thinks she is a commoner, seeking violence or a coup. For the millionth time I think of telling them about the Underground, about the cage casting, about Jaya. The words stick in my mouth. My tongue feels heavy.
“I would like to hear Maharaja Naupure’s opinion on this,” Mother says.
Father nods in agreement. “He is to return from Moolek soon.”
Prisha leans toward me. “You know what that means. You won’t be able to get out of a formal engagement meeting anymore.”
I give Prisha a dirty look, but she is right. Jatin and I would be expected to officially meet and our parents to make the last arrangements for the blood contract and marriage ceremony. They might even speed it up to generate a sense of unity and stability. Two weeks ago I had lied and told them all that Jatin and I met at my firelight delivery. But compared with my other lies and the fact my father holds a wanted poster so the thugs in town can smoke me out, my arranged marriage seems trivial.I have more important problems than Jatin Naupure!
I interrupt my parents’ hypotheticals. “I think I know how Naupure will respond.”
Father’s eyes crinkle as he scoops up a handful of rice. “Yes, Miss Made to Be a Naupure?”
