by Rebecca Ann
“Not if it’s a choice. We didn’t have a choice on Ada with the experiments, but we do with this.”
I pushed my yogurt away, no longer hungry. “I hate to burst your bubble, but you aren’t a Watcher yet. How do you know this plan to bring us all down to the Hope place is going to work? We could be dragged from our homes in an hour.”
Lindsey groaned, head tilted back. “It’s the House of Hope. Please don’t say that. This has to work. I didn’t become a Watcher—almost-Watcher—just to have my family and friends get dragged to some prison.”
I started to say something, but a knock made us both freeze. My heart picked up, and my legs were like Jello as I stood up. “Who is it?” I called, pressing the button on the intercom next to the door.
“Victoria, it’s Dad.”
I took my finger off the button and flung open the door. “You’re early!” I threw myself into his arms. I may have been mad right now, but I was still happy to see him. “Did you get Princess Madalina settled?”
My father walked into the house. “I did, and she wants to have dinner with us tonight. She’s going to meet us—”
“Tonight?” I interjected, mouth open. I walked toward the kitchen. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I leaned against the counter. I was in no condition to converse with a princess. Especially one who invites herself to dinner. “I thought she had a meeting with the president. Did you invite her?” I tried to keep my tone casual.
“No, honey, I didn’t. I mentioned we were going to dinner, and she said she really wants to meet you and get to know you.”
“Why?” I blurted. “Is she part of the resistance too?” The anger I’d been attempting to hold back punctured each word. I couldn’t see my father’s expression, but I’d bet a million dollars it was one of shock.
“Victoria, how—”
“That’s my fault, Bill,” Lindsey said, coming around the counter. “I didn’t know you hadn’t told her.” Her hand claimed my shoulder in a tight squeeze, but I didn’t have the energy to turn around. “I need to go get ready for tonight. I’ll call you after the exam.”
It took Lindsey’s footsteps and the door closing for my mind to come back to the present. Without a word, I went to the black leather couch my father helped me pick out and sat down. The material was cold against my bare legs. “Please, Dad, tell me what’s going on. If you’re not here for Madalina, then why are you here?” Somehow, I kept the desperation out of my tone, but a nervous energy continued its trek in my veins, despite the drug. It was wearing off, and it wouldn’t be long before I’d need another pill.
The sound of something being poured was my only answer for a few seconds, and then his footsteps came toward the couch. He sat down, took a sip of wine, and, after putting the glass on a coaster on the square wooden coffee table Lindsey’s father had made for me, looked up. “I’m here because I’ve been helping with the resistance.”
“Yeah, so Lindsey said. The question is why didn’t you tell me?” My voice shook, but I swallowed back the tears. “I’m your daughter! You should’ve told me!”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I was trying to protect you and let you lead as normal of a life as possible. I didn’t want to burden you with this.”
I wanted to fire back with another retort, but arguing wouldn’t solve anything. “My life has never been normal, Dad. You of all people should know that.” I couldn’t stop the words from shaking as the emotion of the last few hours threatened to consume me. “I don’t see you hardly at all as it is. When I do, it’s only for short periods of time. And then I find out you’ve been coming here to help out some resistance—” The lump in my throat prevented me from continuing. “It really hurts,” I choked out. “I could’ve and can handle whatever it is. I’m not your little girl anymore.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Victoria.” His voice heavy with guilt, he laid a hand on my knee. “I’m here because of the announcement this morning, yes. But there’s something else you don’t know.”
I put a hand to my forehead. What now? We’d been through enough. Before either one of us could say anything, his net-screen beeped. I got off the couch and went into the kitchen, leaning against the counter. My mind raced with questions, but I didn’t have the energy to voice any of them. My chest tightened, and I pressed my palms into the smooth countertop. Everything was happening too fast.
“I’m so sorry, sweetie,” Dad said as he came into the kitchen, “That was Madalina. I have to pick her up in an hour. Why don’t we go grab dinner, and then you can ride with me?”
I wanted to say no but held my tongue. This wasn’t the first time the princess cut into our time together. “I guess that’d be okay.” If it meant spending time with my dad, I’d put up with Madalina for one evening.
Dad sighed. “I’m sorry, honey. Technically, I’m still on the clock. Tomorrow, I’m going down to the resistance headquarters. Now that you’re considering helping, I was hoping you’d come with me.”
I paused, choosing my words carefully. The best thing to do now was to forgive him for keeping his involvement in the resistance a secret and move on. “I do want to help, especially since Lindsey wants me to research alternate power sources.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea!”
I couldn’t hold back a smile at the way his tone changed. I couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this excited. “I don’t even know where to start though.” I walked over to the closet where I kept my purse and opened it.
“Well...I wasn’t going to bring this up,” Dad said from behind me, “but your mother has been asking to talk with you for a few months now. She was released from prison and is working at the palace.”
I almost dropped my purse as I spun to face him. “What?” The word came out in a breathy whisper. I walked to the counter, gripping the edge of it as my fingers tingled. “When were you going to tell me?” The room started to spin. This was too much. I leaned against the counter, a hand to my forehead, my skin warm.
“I didn’t want to overwhelm you. She’s been training while in prison and knows a lot about what Lighters can do.” As his hand rested on my shoulder, I jerked up.
“She wants to talk to me? When?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
I inhaled and picked up my purse. “We should go to dinner.” I walked toward the door and opened it. Rain dripped from the overhang, and I inhaled its scent.
After today, I needed a few moments to collect myself and calm down. Tonight was about spending time with Dad. The rest could wait.
“So, any particular place you want to go?”
“Anywhere you want. I haven’t been to a Normal restaurant in months. You choose.” I shut the door and went to the closet, grabbing an umbrella.
“Why not the restaurant down the street? We’ll have to walk though.” Dad stepped out onto the porch, shutting the door behind us. “Here. I’ll hold it.”
I handed him the umbrella and used his arm to get down the steps onto the wet pavement. An orange glow from a nearby streetlamp spilled onto the sidewalk. The low buzz of an overhead hover made me pause midstep. I ran a hand over my bracelet as a prickle of fear traveled down my spine. The quiet street, especially after today, set me on edge.
I took my cane out of my purse and unfolded it, swiping it back and forth across the sidewalk. “Sometimes I wish I was a Controller,” I said, and in the quiet, my voice was loud in my ears. “Then I could hide my powers and pass as a Normal like you’ve managed to do all these years.” I looked at him. “Why did you go back to Ada? For my mom?” It was a question I’d wanted to ask for years but could never figure out how.
“Partly, yes, and I wanted to give you the best life possible. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hide being a Controller for long, so I decided it was safer on Ada. Besides, working as a Royal Watcher has allowed me to help the resistance in a way.” He sighed, his pace slowing a bit. “I wish it was safe to have you with me on Ada. That’s actually w
hat I want to talk to you about.” We walked across the empty street, the lights reflecting in the wet pavement.
“Oh?” I wiped a drop of rain off my cheek, but more spit at me. “It hasn’t been safe for LIs on Ada for a very long time. I guess people are afraid Carmella will decide to do more experiments.” I shivered at the thought as I took my father’s elbow with my right hand, holding my cane in my left. Nighttime travel always made me nervous, even with my cane.
“Yes, and Princess Madalina is trying to change that. She’s been working for months to get this new program up and running, and surprisingly, Queen Carmella, while not thrilled with the idea, isn’t stopping Madalina, so there’s hope.”
I shook my head. “I don’t understand. Queen Carmella is the one who was experimenting on LIs. Why does she want us back on Ada? LIs fled because of her.” It made no sense. Why would Madalina risk the safety and well-being of the LI population by having us return to Ada?
Dad sighed. “I don’t know, but Madalina isn’t giving up.” He bumped my shoulder. “Like someone else I know.”
I smiled as a blush warmed my cheeks. “Thanks, Dad.”
We walked for a few more minutes in silence, and as the scent of food grew stronger, my stomach rumbled. Loud music blasted from several open doorways. We even passed one man playing a saxophone. Dad kept his long stride, and I had to run to keep up with him. He pulled me through a door and into one of the restaurants. Classical music drifted from somewhere in the ceiling, the light too dim for me to make out anything except tables covered with white tablecloths.
“How many?” a thin female voice asked.
“Two, please,” Dad answered.
“Follow—” The woman’s sentence faded. “I’m sorry. Lighters aren’t permitted to eat here. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
My whole body tensed. Stupid bracelet. If I hadn’t had it on, she wouldn’t have known. At least, not right away. Not having it on would mean a trip to the Watchers’ Headquarters, and Lindsey would have to bail me out of jail on her first night as a Watcher.
“She’s with me,” Dad said. He pulled something out of his right jacket pocket. “I’m a Royal Watcher, and in two seconds, I can have Princess Madalina on the net-screen.” His tone wasn’t threatening, but I shrunk back at it anyway. No one messed with my father when he wanted something.
“I’m sorry, sir. I’m just following the rules.”
“Dad, it’s okay,” I whispered, pulling on his arm. “Let’s just order some food and eat at the house.”
“Vi, it’s not right you’re denied the right to eat here,” Dad said. Before I could say anything else, he tapped his net-screen.
“Hi, Bill.” Madalina’s voice came through the small speaker, quiet but upbeat. He must’ve pressed the button so her hologram wouldn’t appear. “I’m about to go into a meeting. I should’ve called sooner. I won’t be able to do dinner tonight, I’m afraid. I’m so sorry.”
“That’s not why I’m calling,” Dad said and explained the situation.
“What?” Madalina burst out, and I jumped. “That’s ridiculous!” A pause and then, “Wait for me there. I’m coming.”
“Princess, you don’t have to do that,” Dad urged. “We’ll be fine. That meeting is important.”
“It’s dinner. This is exactly why I’m working to bring LIs back to Ada.” The call disconnected, and Dad sighed. “She’s coming here.”
It took a moment for my brain to process what was happening. Princess Madalina was going to have dinner with us! I followed my dad outside to stand under the overhang in a daze. “Dad, does she know about—you know?”
“No, and please don’t bring it up,” Dad said in that firm way of his. A tone I knew not to argue with. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I know I’ve thrown a lot at you tonight.”
I exhaled. Yes, he had, but I was tired of sitting on the sidelines while our people suffered. “I want to go with you tomorrow. If you can wait until I’m done teaching.”
“Of course!”
It only took a few more minutes for Madalina to arrive. As she approached us, my heart thudded. I was meeting a princess. In my school clothes. How embarrassing!
“Victoria, I’d like you to meet Princess Madalina,” Dad said, and his voice brought me out of my reverie.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you!” Princess Madalina said in a high-pitched happy tone. Lindsey would’ve hated it. “Let’s go eat! I’m starving!”
We walked back into the restaurant, and this time, the waitress didn’t bat an eye at my bracelet. She seated us in the far back at a table in the corner, and I chose the seat by the wall. Maybe if I blended into the wallpaper, the nervous energy would trickle away. Getting arrested for eating at a Normal restaurant, even with Princess Madalina present, wasn’t on my list of things to do tonight.
“You don’t have to be nervous,” Madalina said, and I looked in her direction. “I won’t bite. I promise. I just want to talk.”
I shook my head. “It’s not you. It’s being here. LIs aren’t allowed in Normal restaurants.”
“Well, on Ada, you won’t have to worry about that,” Madalina said. The ice in her glass clinked as she took a sip of water. “Lighters and Invisibles have their own district on Ada where you will be free to eat anywhere you like.”
“Are we allowed to go outside the district?” I tried my best to keep the anger out of my words. “Why are you wanting us back on Ada after the experiments? My mother was experimented on, and so were families of my students!” I spoke through clenched teeth. I wanted her to hear my anger.
“I understand,” Madalina said. “And that’s why LIs have their own district which I’m in charge of. I might as well tell you. The Caldwell President has ordered all LIs be sent back to Ada.”
My breath caught. The smells of the restaurant churned my stomach. I gripped the edge of the table until my fingers ached. Send us back? I looked toward my father. If only I could see his expression. Read the emotion in his eyes. “So, we’re not getting sent to the location the president talked about today?”
“You are, but then you’ll be sent to Ada.”
I stared at the white tablecloth. This was all too much. “I’m sorry. I’m not really hungry. I’m going to get Lindsey to pick me up.”
“Victoria,” my dad hissed.
“I’m sorry, Dad,” I said as I unfolded my cane. “I just need time to process all this. I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m really sorry, Princess Madalina.”
I made my way through the maze of tables to the exit and, once outside, fished my net-screen out of my bag and called Lindsey.
“Good, you haven’t left yet,” I said when she answered.
“I leave in an hour. What’s up? How was dinner with your dad?”
“It didn’t happen. It... Look, I’ll explain later. Can you pick me up?” I told her where I was, and she stood in front of me before the call ended. “Can we go back to your house?”
“What happened, Vi?” she asked as I took hold of her hand.
“I’ll explain when we get to your house.”
As the gray came up around us, I shut my eyes. The wind picked up. The spinning started. All of it was over in about four seconds, the fastest Lindsey had ever teleported. As we landed, an overwhelming familiarity hit me. Voices came from the net-viewer in the living room, and in the kitchen, something crashed to the floor. I stood by the door for the briefest of moments, soaking it all in. This was where I belonged. I relaxed for the first time in hours as I took off my shoes and followed Lindsey into the kitchen, the floorboards cold under my socked feet. I put my arms out in front of me, the dim lighting making it a little hard to get around, especially at night. This was one of the nicer apartments in the LI part of town, one of the few left.
“Mom, set the table for one more,” Lindsey said as we entered the kitchen.
Mrs. Cooper turned around. “Victoria!” She was at my side in two seconds, wrapping me in one of her warm hugs.
I sank into the embrace, a breath leaving me. Lindsey’s mother had practically raised me. “Thank you,” I said, my voice muffled by Mrs. Cooper’s red shirt, an apron on top of it.
Diane pulled back, hands still on my shoulders. “No need to thank me, sweetie. You’re family. Now go put your bag in Lindsey’s room, and we’ll eat. Lindsey has to get to the station soon for her exam.” A tiny bit of disapproval leaked from her words.
“Mom!” Lily ran into the room, her bare feet pattering across the tile. “We’re gonna get taken away!”
“Lily Cooper!” Diane scolded from where she stood at the stove. “Where did you hear such a thing? We’re not going to be taken away.”
“Yeah, we are! It’s on the news.” Lily skittered back into the living room, her bare feet slapping against the hardwood. “Come in here!”
My heart jumped into my throat as I followed Lindsey and Diane into the living room where Lily sat on the worn brown couch, Mr. Cooper in his dark green recliner. None of the furniture matched. Another tell of the times we lived in. LIs had to get furniture from the black market or have a Normal get it for them. I sat down next to Lily, gaze on the screen. I couldn’t see much from this distance, but I knew red and blue lights were flashing. Guess the president had made the new announcement.
“Pickups of Lighters and Invisibles have been happening all over Northern Caldwell the last couple of days, and the scene behind me has been all too common. It is unclear as to where they are taking these people,” a female reporter, wearing what I thought was a purple jacket, said in a somber tone. It was probably fake though. Reporters were on the side of the president.
I bit my lower lip. “Princess Madalina just told me about this.”
“All Lighters and Invisibles of the capital of Caldwell will be issued a notice to report to Government Headquarters at your designated time. Failure to comply will result in prison. Back to you, Jill.”
“Thank you, Barbara,” another female reporter said as the camera switched back to the news desk. “Now, let’s go live to a message from President Richards.”
