A loud knock jolts me awake the next morning. I unlock the door, rubbing my eyes when Rei sweeps into the room like a whirlwind. A sleek, silver tablet in hand.
“Your sister is famous!” she screeches. “Did you readThe ContinentalandThe White Sun?”
“I don’t read or listen to the news outlets,” I say.
All news was filtered to the Director’s Office before it went live. They approved all public messaging before release.
I go to my bed, a little annoyed that she disrupted my sleep for this. Rei sits beside me, thrusting the glowing screen in my face so I can read the article. There is a large picture of Ender and me. I’m facing the camera, smiling uncomfortably at the crowd, and Ender is looking down at me, his ghostly blue eyes soft and warm.
BREAKING: New Foundry’s Hottest Bachelor is Off the Markets
The Continent has a new it-couple, and they’re already making hearts flutter! The ever-elusive Commandant Ender Vale opened the doors of his North Mire estate last night for a private engagement party, and only a handful of lucky reporters were invited to witness the magic.
When pressed about his romance, the young Commandant practically melted, gushing that Ms. Warrick “inspires him.” Sources say his eyes glittered like stars as he stared at her, and we’ve got to admit, it’s been years since we’ve seen a man so utterly smitten.
The wedding of the century is on the horizon, and trust us, you won’t want to miss a single detail. Stay tuned because New Foundry just got a lot more interesting.
I put down the tablet, resisting the urge to laugh maniacally at the tawdry article. It reads like a tabloid. I expected better fromThe White Sun.
“Your sister is the luckiest woman alive,” she says.
My cheeks flush. Those damn reporters and their romantic ideals.Thatcould not be further from the truth. A man as ruthless as Ender does not love. His blood-stained fingers were not made to caress. They were created to break those under him. To command and lead, and to never waver in the face of uncertainty.
I met his father last night. The Supreme Director was everything I had imagined. Curt, cold, and heartless. He lookeddown at me because I was a Common. It was clear to see that Malric Vale had signed the agreement to keep the peace with Orson. I was never his first choice. And his displeasure was clear.
“Does your sister tell you anything about him?” Rei asks, resting her chin on her palm. Her eyes are floaty and dreamy.
She spends hours every day cursing Ender and the Black Star soldiers for putting us through hell. But one terribly written article, and suddenly Ender is a charming, young man who deserves to be loved. It sickens me that the Supreme Director’s plan worked. Ender’s reputation will flourish. The people will trust him.
The Continent will bow to the whims of another tyrant. Another wretched Vale.
“Like what?” I ask curiously.
“What is he like in bed?”
I choke on air. Rei sits upright and pats my back. A little harder than is necessary.
“She did, didn’t she!” Rei exclaims, with a smirk. “Go on, then tell me.”
“They haven’t done anything of that nature,” I rush. “You can’t believe everything you read. Now leave, so I can get ready.”
Rei groans. “How can she resist him? Does she plan to wait until the wedding day?”
“None of your business!”
I shove Rei out the door, ignoring her loud cackle. Not only is she enjoying prying, but she is getting a kick out of embarrassing me.
Once the doors seal shut, I lay my back against the surface and cover my face with my palms, muffling a scream.
I can’t outrun Ender.
He haunts me.
Even in the quiet peace of my room, he is here, digging his cruel fingers into my life and threatening to drag me into the dark with him.
I’ve been put on a few rotations doing menial tasks around the Forge this week. Commandant’s orders. I found my name on a roster alongside a bunch of other troublemakers. I suppose this is my punishment for swapping places with my sister and attempting to outsmart Ender.
Today I’ve been assigned to the lower decks, rifling through a bunch of destroyed weapons so they can be stripped down for parts. Enforcers walk the runway above, gazing down at us with bored expressions. There are five other recruits that I don’t recognize, some of them wear the Gifted uniform and others the Common one. All of them look painstakingly bored. I try to make conversation with the girl closest to me, but she just flips me off.
