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“No harm in a little gossip,” one of the girls says, tacking on a nervous giggle as if to imply they were only being silly.
Alixandra leans in and sizes her up before shifting back onto the heels of her boots. “There’s a lot of harm in it, but not for the person being gossiped about, if you catch my drift.”
Most of them nod, but as soon as she steps away their faces turn nasty behind her back. I’m certain Alixandra can feel their expressions, even if she doesn’t see them. I recall the sensation of tiny daggers in my back, a feeling familiar from my testing. Unlike me, Alixandra doesn’t seem bothered by it.
But I have learned one thing, at least. I’m not the only one concerned about changes in Cormac Patton. It sounds like the rumors are becoming more widespread. People everywhere are talking about it. What effect will this have on his plans? If faith in Cormac has already been undermined, what purpose can the wedding really serve?
“We’re ready for the next party,” the stewardess says, checking a list on her clipboard.
“That’s us,” Alixandra says, taking hold of my elbow and steering me toward the rebound chamber. We aren’t using the ones I’ve rebounded through before, but instead a new, larger chamber. I expect Alixandra and I to rebound on the same platform, but there are two platforms adjoining each other instead.
“I thought we would rebound together,” I say to Alixandra.
“We are, but two people need to perform the procedure for optimal safety.” Her voice takes on the same annoyed tone it always does when I ask a question—as though everything that comes out of my mouth is completely stupid.
“I see.”
“Minister Patton wants to be sure of your physical safety as well as your security.”
“I bet he does,” I say. My glib comment is rewarded with a scathing look. My sense of humor isn’t growing on Alixandra.
The stewardess prepares each of us, going through the same speech full of warnings and reminders I’ve been given every time I’ve traveled via rebound. I nod, barely paying attention to what she’s saying. I’m not surprised when she cuffs my arms to the chair.
“What, no scary metal helmet?” I ask.
The stewardess blinks.
“You will be alone during part of the process,” Alixandra says, settling comfortably into her chair. “We’ll be able to see each other, but technically we’ll be in separate spaces. I want to be certain you are secure.”
“Where am I going to go?” I point out. There’s enough danger inherent in the process without me jumping off the platform in the middle of it.
“You’ve managed to pull off some incredible escapes in the past. You can’t blame us for being cautious,” Alixandra says.
“How long is the rebound?” I ask the stewardess.
“It will only take an hour,” she answers as she stuffs a pillow behind my back. I want out of these cuffs and away from this awkward angle.
The pillow is helping, though. I remember the first stewardess who attended my rebound—on my retrieval night. She had been kind, too, trying to ease my panic about being tied down and taken to a new life. I didn’t ask her name.
“Thank you…?” I leave the invitation hanging between myself and the girl helping me.
“Diana,” she says.
“Thank you, Diana.”
“It was my pleasure, Miss Lewys,” she says, pausing to add the obligatory, “and best wishes on your marriage.”
“Thanks,” I say. Her eyes meet mine and I see understanding in them. She knows, as everyone in Arras must know, that this isn’t a marriage of love. Cormac is taking a bride. He’s taking me.
And before I can wrap my head around it—around the fact that I’m on my way to be married to Cormac
Patton—Diana has left the room and the countdown on the clock begins.
“Will I be able to talk to you during the rebound?” I ask Alixandra. Rebounds still make me a little nervous.
“Why would we want to talk?”
“Never mind,” I say.
