The Fading Dusk by Melissa Giorgio

Author:Melissa Giorgio [Giorgio, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: new
Publisher: Melissa Giorgio
Published: 2015-07-18T12:00:00+00:00

AS VERNEN LED ME THROUGH Way, my mind was a whirlwind and I hardly paid attention to where we were headed. Within minutes, I was completely lost.

When we happened upon a small park, Vernen led me over to a bench and made me sit. “Wait here,” he instructed, slipping away before I could ask any questions.

Pulling off my wig, I slumped in my seat, shivering despite the sweat that coated my skin. I wished I could shut down, stop thinking, stop realizing that Bantheir—

No! My stomach gave an awful lurch and I was hit with a sharp wave of nausea.

Stop thinking, Irina. Desperate for a distraction, I let my eyes roam, drinking in the scenery. While Bantheir and I had performed in some parks, I’d never been to this one before. I could see the edge of Dusk in the distance, marked by the gently curving stone wall that surrounded the entire city. To my right, then, must have been Rise. It made sense that I didn’t recognize the park—I’d never ventured this close to the northern section.

The park was small, with a rolling field of green grass. A couple of children played tag, their mothers watching while they talked. Behind me was a busy street filled with bustling stores; Vernen had gone in that direction, and now he returned, holding two steaming cups and a paper bag tucked under one arm.

He sat down next to me and handed me the cup. Thanking him, I accepted it, breathing in the aroma. “Hot chocolate?” I asked, surprised. I’d only had it a few times, when a member of the audience had treated me and Bantheir afterwards. I’d loved it, though, and wished we could afford to drink it more often.

“The best in Dusk,” Vernen said. He set his cup down and opened the paper bag, pulling out a large, round roll. “And this is the best meat bun in Dusk. I know the two don’t go together, but I figure you’re in desperate need of the best right about now.”

I took one look at the roll and shook my head. “I can’t eat anything.”

His face was etched with lines of concern. “Your stomach still hurts?”

“Only when I…” I flushed, realizing how strange what I was about to say sounded.

“Irina?”

“Only when I think Bantheir is…” I gritted my teeth against the pain.

“Guilty,” Vernen finished. “Whenever you think he actually committed the crime, you hurt.”

I nodded, taking a small sip of my hot chocolate. “That’s not normal, is it?”

He avoided my gaze, looking uncomfortable. “I’m pretty sure I’d be reacting the same way if I found out Leon had committed some atrocious crime. Although I’d refuse to believe he was guilty in the first place.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “Funny, he said the same thing about you.”

“Really?” His blue eyes brightened happily.

“Will he be all right?” I asked. “We just left him.”

“Leon can take care of himself.”

I took a deep breath, about to protest further, when I paused. Vernen wouldn’t just abandon his friend.

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