Wake up, get dragged to the room with the raised dais and large painting, where Adis stood, and stare at his shiny shoes. Read until the light ran out, receive one glass of water. Study, even though my stomach ached due to the lack of food and my vision swam. Then after, get dragged back to the room for a few fitful hours of sleep and a measly crust of bread.
And every day, I made sure to look at the eyes of Adis, Markus, and Syrus discreetly.
Every day, the circle of gold was present.
Nothing else seemed to change however, and I wracked my brain to try and decipher what the circle of gold could mean. I wished more than anything that I could flip through the black book looking for answers, but alas, I was never allowed to bring the book to my cell.
“Too dangerous,” in the words of Adis.
But what he didn’t know was that those little words, the ones delegating that I was not to study or read on my own, told me something I didn’t know before. And that was the fact thatwhatever I was doing was tied to both the books and reading. And maybe magic.
At first, I tried to keep track of the days, but that aspiration ended as my hunger and tiredness grew. My tattoo healed at least, to the point where I barely felt it as I bound myself each morning. I didn’t have a looking glass, but a twisted look at my side from time to time revealed that the tattoo had healed nicely. I would never admit it, but over the course of the unknown number of days I had spent in Adis’ palace of a house, I had even grown to like the green color. It was a small reminder of my brother, and the fact that though I missed him, and my cousin, at least I no longer had to wear lifts in my shoes. My arm had healed too, though the brownAandCtaunted me day and night. To the point where I had to remind myself that I was staying here so my brother could live.
Despite my lack of ability to keep track of time, on what had to be at least seven days into my tenure as a reader, the unthinkable happened.
My period came.
Binding my chest and disguising my voice was one thing. But cleaning bloody cloths and somehow getting them back for use again was another. When I had left the house on that fateful day, I had assumed I would be able to do so stealthily.
But as the Reader, who was unable to leave the room without either Markos or Syrus escorting me, there wasn’t a chance. Unless . . .
“Markos?” I called out early on the morning of my discovery, rolling over the words I had been practicing in my head since the night before. The cramps had woken me far before dawn.
No response came.
“Markos?” I called again just to be certain.
Again, there was silence.
Taking a chance, I pulled at the wooden door, which had been my nemesis since my arrival. To my surprise, it gave easily.
Peering out into the pre-dawn lit hallways, with all thecandles not yet lit, told me what I needed to know. It was early, and I didn’t have long.
Knowing that what I was about to do could end in my death, I took a deep breath, then took my chance, heading for the end of the halls and peering in each door as I passed. Or attempting to, as most were closed—either occupied or not meant for me to see into. The door to the exterior where I was instructed to dump my waste everyday was locked tight.
The ones that were opened revealed empty rooms similar to my own, a darkened kitchen, and finally, to my luck, a room which must be used for laundry, as there were wash basins, a pump, and lines for drying.
Not wanting to waste time, I rushed in, pumping a small bit of water into the nearest pail, just enough to wash the bloody rags, scrubbing them with my fingernails. It was a rushed wash at best, with scared glances over my shoulder every few seconds. I had a plan though, if I was caught. I would claim a bloody nose then beg for forgiveness.
It couldn’t have been longer than a few minutes before I finished, soggy rags gripped in my hands, as I turned from the laundry room to make a run for my own.
But before I reached the doorframe, my eyes caught on the dark looking glass hung on the stone wall. More specifically, what I saw reflected back at me.
I was much thinner now than when I arrived, and I knew I would never be able to pass for Milo with my haggard appearance. As my face had thinned out, I noticed with a grimace that it had become a bit more feminine. My frame had also become thinner, which was perhaps a good thing as it had allowed me to bind my chest easier. Regardless, I would need to ensure I was more careful going forward, as someone would be able to tell if they looked more closely.
That wasn’t what caught my attention, though, it was my eyes. My brown irises, the ones I shared with my twin, were no longer just brown. No, they had a circle of gold too.
Just like the guards.
Just like Adis.
My breath caught, and I leaned closer to the mirror.
I don’t know how long I stood there, turning my chin this way and that to ensure my irises weren’t just a trick of the light. But it was too long, and noises reached my ears from down the hall.
Panic swelled anew in my gut, and I peered out of the laundry room doorway, looking both ways down the hall. Though I heard movement, I didn’t see anything, and I let out a breath as I stepped into the hallway and edged my way along, trying to stick to what little shadows remained. The sun was nearly over the horizon if the pink light in the hallway was any indication.
It only took a moment for my luck to run out, however.
