A Red Sky Rising by Ryan Gilbert

Author:Ryan Gilbert [Gilbert, Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-09-21T22:00:00+00:00

At that moment, Julia was just starting to reach the inner circle of Hunter’s congratulatory crowd. The new governor was quite the talker, certainly not one for a quick conversation. As she listened to the man, she could not help but question what she had thought that she had remembered about him. Was it really him that soldiers would praise for his brutality in dealing with criminals? He seemed far too cheery and relaxed, sipping wine like he did not have a care in the world.

Try as she might, the girl could not get any closer to Governor Hunter. The people were too tightly packed for even her to squeeze through. She tried to stand on the tips of her toes to grow a couple inches, but he still would not notice her. Silently, she cursed, frustrated by a simple lack of open space.

Just as she was about to try to push her way forward again, Julia felt someone tap her on the shoulder, catching her by surprise. It was then that she heard music being played. This fellow must have wanted a dance.

“I’m sorry, sir, but I’m a little busy at the moment,” she said, not bothering to turn around.

“Well so am I, but I can spare some time for a girl who’s caught my eye, Ms. Hamond.”

Julia spun around in shock and stood face to face with the very person she despised most.

“Mr. Warner!” she exclaimed, unable to believe her eyes.

“In the flesh. It is truly great to see you again, Ms. Hamond,” he said with a bow.

Failing to contain her surprise, Julia asked, “To what do I owe this… unexpected meeting?”

“I was actually wondering if you could answer that same question. Perhaps, over a dance maybe?” he said, meeting her eye with his smarmy smile on his face. His expression was enough to instantly make her feel uncomfortable.

Julia cast a quick glance over her shoulder to see what Hunter was doing. There was no chance that he would go anywhere. In fact, he was even waving off a soldier that had presumably come to ask him a question. The only danger to Riggs was standing in front of her, asking her to dance.

“I don’t see why not, Mr. Warner,” she said, forcing herself to let him lead her onto the dance floor.

Taking her hand, he pulled her close, letting his other hand rest in the crook of her back. There was a time when she would have enjoyed dancing with Jonathan, letting him hold her close. That was back when she was oblivious to what a selfish bastard Jonathan was. Being locked in the brig of the Red Sky with him had shown Julia his true colors, and they were far from appealing. As they danced between the other couples, the only thing she could think of was getting away from him.

“So tell me, why are you here?” he asked.

“Same reason as you… to congratulate the new governor.”

Julia had to be careful with what she said. Jonathan was smart.

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