Flame (Fireborn) by Arden Mari

Author:Arden, Mari [Arden, Mari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-03-10T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The next morning I awake with less soreness in my body, but my mind is completely battered. I have a pounding headache, and my veins are pulsing like they're going to burst.

"All clear."

The doors open, and I step wearily out. The usual Saguinox guard is not here. Instead, the female guard from the cave is standing at the end of the hall, alert. I suck in a breath when I recognize her as the one who almost caught me down at the caves. Her spiky blonde hair looks pointier in the dreary room, and a nose ring glints menacingly underneath the glare of hot lights. Her hair is cropped short to her head, and the chains on her belt and pants make her look sinister. She carries herself like a Goth, but her glowing eyes are amber, and the furthest thing from black.

"All the females will be coming with me," she informs us. Her announcement is met with varying degrees of horror, and she smiles, relishing the fear. "The men will stay behind." She pauses, making certain all attention is on her. "They will wait for the crystal."

Shock ripples through us, and my eyes can't help but go to the two men near me. One is going to vomit, and the other is very thin, and seems to close his eyes in acceptance. The girl across from me is silently sobbing, barely touching the man next to her. His eyes are still closed, and he's breathing heavily. Even though they've probably never talked, both have lived side by side for days, eating, working, and breathing together. That sort of relationship makes a different kind of connection, one that distresses when severed.

The guards gesture to us, and we begin marching. Even though it's forbidden I glance back for one last look. One still has his eyes closed, his face more serene than I've ever seen. The other has his eyes open, and they're following us.

He sees me turning, and stares at me in shock. My gaze doesn't leave his though, and I try to say with my eyes, what I can't with my mouth. He seems to understand, and he gives me the slightest hint of a smile. As I watch, something comes over him. He clenches his jaw, staring at the guard following us. His hands curl into fists at his sides. He's slowly straightening his back, and he winces like it's painful, but he ignores it, arching his back, raising his head, and standing tall.

Defiant.

For one dangerous moment he is as tall as the guards.

That's the last image I see before I force myself to turn away. With one blink he is gone from my vision.

I didn't even know his name, but I play his face in my mind over and over again to make sure I remember what it looks like to stand tall.

* * *

We're moving toward a part of the compound I've never seen before. My heart is pounding with the adrenaline of what I want to do.

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