One year until we're scheduled to see her again. But if I succeed, it won't be a year. It will be months. I just need Eve to hold on.
As we walk through the garden, I wonder if I should go back and tell her to give her something to hope for. Without thinking too much about it, I turn back.
“Rafe, where are you going?” Lorian asks.
“I…”
He grabs my arm. “We can’t. This must beconvincing.”
“What if she dies thinking we used her like a pet and that we don’t love her?” I ask, our eyes meeting in the darkness of the night.
“She’s strong.”
“What if she never forgives us?”
“We can’t go back and time and change what we just did. We will all have to live with this. But no matter what she chooses, if all goes well, she’ll still have her freedom.”
I reluctantly allow Lorian to lead me onto the transport, his hand on my shoulder. Once on the transport, I look back through the window. I see Eve kneeling beside Autumn and my father. She’s a breathing statue, a human pet, and I turn away, disgusted with myself.
I will get you out of this, Eve, I promise.
70
AFTER THE STORM, EVE
I remain kneelinglike an obedient human pet as the sound of engines fades into the distance. I can’t breathe. My vision blurs, and the floor begins to shift. What just happened? How are they gone already? How could I just kneel here and let them walk away without even trying to run or beg?
Oh my God. I am a pet now.
That’s what they have made of me!
The realization makes me even dizzier.
Gai touches the top of my head to steady me. “You need rest, Eve. Today was hard, but Tribune Jin Kol seemed satisfied with your progress. Well done. Return to your room. Autumn will help you. I will have some elixir sent up."
I don’t ask what elixir is. I just walk with Autumn supporting me to our room. We don’t even brush our teeth or hair but just go directly to our mats and lay down. My mind is a nightmare running on repeat of what just happened today.
Soon a servant enters with two glasses of a light blue drink. Autumn and I each take one. It tastes minty, but delicious compared to what we are usually given, water, so I quickly drink it all without thinking about what could be in it. When we finish, the servant leaves, and Autumn and I lay in the dark alone.
After a few minutes, Autumn says, “That was a drug to make us not care about anything. It’s to make you not care about what you endured today, and for me to not feel sorry for you.”
“Do you think it works?”
“Yes, but only for a few days. Then we will both remember every detail of today until something worse happens to take its place.”
“And do you feel sorry for me?”
Autumn turns and looks at me, but I can only make out some of her face in the dark. Then she grabs my hand. “I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t. Even if I hated you, I would have to be a complete psychopath to be untouched by what I witnessed today.”
“Do you hate me?”
She laughs. “No. You know I don’t. But I am jealous.”
“Why?”
“Rafe and Lorian are going to get you out of this.”
“Why do you say that?” I ask, afraid even to hope.
