AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I decide to look through the tables of contents first, so that I’m not wasting my time on every book. The first set of books don’t have much information worth noting, or they contain stories I already know. Stories about long-lost peace and planned uprisings that our Elders put a stop to.
Again, basics that we learn in childhood. Fuck.
Granted, I should have expected this. Don’t all governments have their secrets, even from their own employees? Granted, not that I would know. We aren’t allowed to leave the Society due to the danger of running into a Dark Elder. I hold back a snort; a little late for that now. I grab another set, and then more and more, and come to the same conclusion.
One book catches my eye, though it’s not necessarily helpful to my endeavors. It’s a book set about a hundred years ago, which details how citizens have tried to break out of the Society’s protection fields before, though few are ever successful. This passage gives me some hope that at least there have been some humans that have managed to get out. Besides this, there isn’t much that’s helping me. I’m about to give up when one passage from a book in the most recent time period, one that reads more like a guide for officials in what to do if a meeting with a Dark Elder ever arises, catches my eye.
Dark Elders are forbidden from entering the Society, as iswell known. Should an official need to come in contact with a Dark Elder for any reason, please follow the below guidelines.
I read through the directions. I wanted to uncover something in these books, but what if there’s no point? Maybe I really should just blunder in, going directly to the source. It’s definitely more dangerous, but there’s something inside me that’s beckoning me to do so. Something that knows I won’t be harmed if I do, at least not by the Dark Elder. A ridiculous thought, but present nonetheless.
Regardless, I know I can’t take the path noted, it’s bound to be littered with officials; I know the layout of the Society like the back of my hand. The path they lay out falls almost perfectly in line with one of the hunting trails in the woods that my friends and I would frequent for some childish fun.
That means I can veer just slightly off the path and most likely still make it to the area detailed in the book, but without the heightened risk of being caught. The passage also details how to place a temporary break in the protective barrier. If I’m careful, and I mean veryverycareful, I should be able to find my way out and back into the Society without raising any red flags. Before closing the book, the last words catch my eye.
IMPORTANT: Shall an official not follow these guidelinesas written, said official will be tried for treason.
I ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach and place the book back on the shelf.
If my plan is going to work, I’ll need help. I hate the idea of putting anyone in the same danger I’ll be in, especially after reading that last line, but I can’t do this alone. With a sigh, I know there’s only one person I can go to. I need to tell Olivia.
On my way out of the library I’m pulled from my thoughts when I roughly smack into something. No, someone.
“Whoa, there!”
Hands are on my arms, steadying me.
I focus my eyes and see Elliot in front of me, who has his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Amelia? What are you doing here?” He glances down at the card in my hand, brow furrowing.
Fuck me. Out of all the people to run into, why him? I clear my throat and plaster a sweet smile on my face. “Elliot, so great to see you! Sorry about that. I figured I’d start preparing for the official life. Y’know, with our impending nuptials and all.” I shrug and glance toward the doors.
One side of his mouth raises, revealing a dimple. “Must’ve been some titillating stuff to have you so deep in thought.”
I let out a breathy laugh, my heart racing. I need to calm the fuck down. He doesn’t suspect anything. He’s probably just being flirtatious. “Ah, yeah. Y’know,secretstuff.” I wink, flirting back.
He grins, pleased at the interaction. “Obviously, what with your fancy key card and everything.” He jokes, nodding toward the card.
“Yup.” I smile at him, and we stand there awkwardly for a moment, before I speak again, “Sorry Elliot, I promised to meet Olivia and I’m running a bit late. See you around?” I know I sound a bit cold in my delivery, a complete one-eighty from my previous response, but my goal is to get out of this situation as quickly as possible and I’ve never been much of an actress; I’ll deal with the repercussions later.
He looks a bit startled at the change in demeanor, but then his face relaxes with a shrug. “No problem. Yeah, see you later, I guess.”
I can tell he’s put off, so I make a note to come up with an explanation when I encounter him next, but for the time being I need to focus elsewhere. I wave in his direction with a small, apologetic smile, and head toward Olivia’s house.
The walk is not long, as Olivia also lives in the vicinity of most official buildings. Part of me wishes it was longer; I have no idea how to approach this in a way that doesn’t make me sound at least a little crazy.
Olivia’s mother is the one to answer the door. She blinks at me in surprise and smiles. “Amelia! I don’t think Olivia is expecting you—"
“Oh, actually she is,” I lie. “In fact, I’m running a bit late.” I know that Olivia will cover for me, even if she doesn’t know why.
Olivia’s mother narrows her eyes slightly, but she lets it go. I’m sure she thinks we’re up to some sort of shenanigans; I can’t say we haven’t gotten into some trouble by the hands of our parents before. “Go on up, she’s just in her room.”
“Thanks!” I rush past her and up the stairs to Olivia’s room. As I open her door, she startles and looks at me in confusion. She’s reading a book on her bed, still in her royal blue satin pajamas despite it being the afternoon.
I wait until I’ve closed us both in the room before addressing her. “So, both your mom and Elliot think I was late to meet you. Cool?”
She nods without hesitation and sits up in her bed. “Everything okay? You seem a bit…frazzled.” She looks me up and down, her gaze apprehensive.
I wince. I really need to get a hold of myself. “A bit. Olivia, I need to tell you something.”
