Mirror's Edge by Scott Westerfeld

Author:Scott Westerfeld [Westerfeld, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2021-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

“Thanks for the save,” I say to Riggs as the meeting breaks up. “Should’ve let you make that speech in the first place.”

She nods. “I was a boss, remember? I’ve had tougher audiences than that.”

Of course—rebels vote on every mission, like pirates in pre-Rusty days. And I bet those crowds aren’t afraid to heckle.

The moment someone argued with me, I choked.

Riggs checks to make sure none of the Futures are nearby. They’re clearing out the wind tunnel around us, taking mementos, saying good-bye to their old meeting place for the last time.

“When Col called you Frey,” Riggs says softly, “I thought you might really be her. But clearly you’ve never been a boss.”

I smile. “That’s true.”

“But you’ve never been a first daughter either,” Riggs says, her voice going hard. “Rafia of Shreve is famous for her interviews. She could’ve handled that crowd. So who are you?”

My mouth falls open, but nothing comes out.

“Rafia went away to get camo-surge,” Riggs says, “and you came back. Different face, different voice, and we all just believed you were still her. But maybe Diego decided to send someone else in her place.”

A laugh forces itself out of me. The thought that I’m not myself has crossed my mind so often since the surge, it’s almost a relief to hear someone else say it.

I give her one of Rafi’s eye rolls. “They wouldn’t dare replace me.”

“She asked them to replace her—the real Rafia’s hiding in a luxury hotel somewhere, while you lead us off mission. It’s obvious you don’t care about X!”

The accusation stings, but I keep my voice level. “Don’t you think Col would notice if I was a different person?”

“He’s a city boy. He’s in on the whole thing.”

“This is brain-missing. I’m Rafi!”

Riggs cocks her head. “What did you just call yourself?”

My breath catches—I forgot to say Rafia, the name the world uses for my sister. No one but me leaves off the last letter.

Maybe it’s the long day’s hike, or the radiation leaking into my bones. Or that my father is planning another war crime to add to his list. But I can’t make any more excuses.

I’m tired of hiding myself.

I’ve been tired of hiding myself for a long time.

“You were right the first time. I’m Frey.”

She takes a step backward, half a dozen thoughts warring on her face. Then she does something unexpected—she reaches for my shirt collar and pulls me closer …

And kisses me.

The pressure of our mouths, my heartbeat in my lips, the salt of the day’s hike—all of it torrents through my head, wild and curious.

A moment later, she pulls away.

“No,” she says. “You aren’t Boss Frey.”

“Um, okay, it’s not …” I try to gather myself. “You’re right, I’m not Boss Frey. That’s my sister, Rafi. She stole my name months ago, then went looking for a crew. She found yours.”

My words run down. Too many random things, mostly that kiss, are buzzing in my head.

But I manage, “Um, so you and Rafi are …”

Riggs waves her hand—for her, that’s not the revelation that matters here.

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