Wall of Fire: A Young Adult Dystopian Novel by Melanie Tays

Author:Melanie Tays [Tays, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Goldlight Enterprises LLC
Published: 2020-02-04T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

In the morning, dark circles betray the unslept state of my eyes. Terrance and the Council are right to suspect that Eason has a motive of his own for being here. I’m worried that whatever game he’s playing, whatever he thinks he might accomplish, is going to end with him in the Ash. That thought is as painful and terrifying as imagining myself there.

I face a terrible paradox. Somehow I must protect him. But how can I protect him when I don’t know what he’s doing? And I must not know, because the only way to ensure that I cannot betray him is if I have nothing to betray him with.

Dazed, I sit in front of the mirror waiting for Petra to come and make me look Flame-worthy, but when she comes in, she’s all business and gets right to making the bed with little more than a hasty, “Good morning,” mumbled in my direction. She doesn’t even ask for an explanation of the pillows and blankets piled in the corner of the room.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say. “I need a friendly face. I thought someone was going to poison me last night after they saw that I didn’t totally fail the Bronze Trial.”

“Your score was impressive,” she agrees—to which I cringe for having deceived her with the altered score, whose only real purpose is to allow me to continue to be Terrance’s pawn.

“Can you help me with my hair again? We can do something quicker today,” I assure her.

She’s already gathered up yesterday’s laundry and the recycle bin.

I wonder if she’s mad at me, too, but she looks genuinely regretful when she says, “Not today, Emery. Sorry. I just really have to focus on my work.” And with that, she’s gone just moments after she arrived.

I wonder if it’s just the intercuff she fears, or if she’s gotten into any more trouble for how much time she spent helping me over the last few days. I really hope not.

I stare at the mirror and try to figure out what to do. I’ve never cared so much about how I look, and I know it’s not Keya or the Council that I care about impressing. I manage a decent enough braid and decide that will have to do for today. Then, on a whim, I pull out the tube of lipstick and do my best to apply it the same way Petra did. The first attempt leaves me looking like I’ve sustained some sort of gruesome injury in the general area of my mouth. Annoyed, I wipe it off on the inside of my sleeve and make one more attempt. This time, I’m very careful and deliberate to keep the color only on my lips. The result would make Petra proud—or at least, I don’t think she would grimace. I briefly consider trying out some of the other colors for my eyes and cheeks, but decide against it.

When I exit my room, I’m pleasantly surprised to find Eason waiting for me, casually leaning against the wall.

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