by Laurèn Lee
He grinned wickedly. “You look pretty this morning.”
“Uh, yeah. Thanks! Let’s go. Oh, is Rocky awake?” she panted.
Titan’s smile wavered. “Yes, he’s downstairs waiting for us.”
Lexa nodded and strode toward the staircase. Then, a thought popped into her mind. “Oh my God! Ivie!” She looked back to Titan, panic-stricken.
He put his hands on her shoulders. “She’s okay. They’re bringing her to the council meeting.”
“But I was supposed to go pick her up. Shit! I’m such a horrible sister.” Lexa put her head in her hands.
“It’s alright, Lexa. She needed extra sleep herself. All is well,” Titan said.
Not wholly believing him or letting herself off the hook, Lexa took the stairs two at a time. In the entranceway, Rocky stood by the front doors. A good night’s sleep suited him well. The bags under his eyes were nearly gone, and he looked a little more calm, relaxed.
“Morning,” he said simply.
“Hi,” Lexa replied. It’d been a long time since their last argument. It felt uncomfortable to be at odds with her best friend.
“Let’s go,” Titan said. “We’ll want to get there before the meeting starts.”
Titan, Lexa, and Rocky trekked through town, and Lexa noticed again the vast array of different types of people.
“Who are they?” Lexa asked, nodding toward some people in neat robes with cigarettes in their mouths.
“We have a slew of traders who come in and out of the city,” Titan said.
“Traders?” Lexa asked.
“Well, yes, of course. We don’t have all the resources we need here in the city. So we trade for clothing, crops, meat and all sorts of things,” Titan replied.
“What do you give them in exchange?” Rocky asked, suddenly interested.
“Why, we give them fresh water! It’s our only infinite resource—and the most valuable,” Titan explained.
Soon, they approached the tent-like building. Santi was outside guarding the entrance but opened the door as the three teenagers approached. He nodded toward Lexa, and she half-smiled. Once inside, there were three chairs positioned in front of the council members’ chairs.
“You two go sit up front. Ivie will be here soon to address the council as well,” Titan said.
Lexa and Rocky approached their chairs and sat down, leaving an empty seat in between them for Ivie. Titan strode away and went to confer with Santi. A few minutes later, the councilmembers strutted in and took their seats. Nilan sat in the middle, and the short, bald man from the previous day was there, too. Another woman with blue hair sat on the other side of Nilan.
“Ahem, good morning to you both,” Nilan said before he sat.
Before he continued his spiel, Ivie shuffled inside the building. She looked much better but still weak. A new bandage was placed on her head at the site of the wound, but her face looked a little brighter and happier. She waved to Lexa and walked over to her big sister. Lexa rose to hug Ivie and squeezed her tightly in her arms. Ivie took her seat in the middle, and Rocky messed up her hair lovingly.
“Shall we begin?” Nilan said.
“Yes, sir,” Lexa replied.
Nilan cleared his throat. “As promised, we have already sent some guard members to bring your camp members back here. The uncontaminated people will have a place to stay and live while the contaminated people will be held at our infirmary. We can make them comfortable and assist them in the next life safely and painlessly.”
Lexa saw in the corner of her eyes that Ivie held Rocky’s hand tightly. Lexa’s heart hurt as she knew she should be holding Rocky’s hand, too.
“The councilmembers and I have also come up with a way for you to repay us for our generosity,” Nilan said.
“Anything!” Lexa said.
“Rocky,” Nilan said, addressing him.
“Yes, sir?”
“You will become the next member of the city’s guard and will train with the others to protect us all. Do you accept this offer?”
Rocky looked to Ivie and Lexa, and they nodded encouragingly. “Yes, I accept.”
“And, you, Lexa, you will become our newest Ambassador of Trade and Goods Procurement.”
“Huh?” Lexa blurted.
“My dear girl,” Nilan smiled, “it means you will be our representative to all the traders in our realm. You will negotiate with them to ensure our city receives the necessary goods and services at a fair price. Do you accept?”
Lexa bit her lip. She still wasn’t wholly sure what this job would entail, but if meant helping save her people, then she had to take it.
“Yes, I accept!” she said.
Nilan clapped while the council members seemed less than thrilled. The bald councilman nodded off, snoring intermittently.
“It’s settled then. You’re going to love it here!” Nilan grinned wickedly, and Lexa wondered what the hell she just got them into.
STAY TUNED for more episodes…
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About Laurèn Lee
Laurèn Lee was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She loves hockey, chicken wings and spending time with family, friends and her boyfriend.
Reading and writing are her life’s passions and becoming an author is her ultimate dream.
As a child, Laurèn became enamored with the Harry Potter series. As an adult, she loves psychological thrillers and mysteries with a twist.
About R.K. Gold
R.K. Gold graduated from the University of Maryland in 2014 with a B.A. in English and is now pursuing a M.S. in Economics from the University at Buffalo.
He is a non-genre specific author who enjoys reading and writing about characters searching for their purpose in life.
Also by Laurèn Lee
Charlotte’s Pact (Demons in New York Book 1)
Liam Rising (Demons in New York Book 2)
Adriel’s Reckoning (Demons in New York Book 3)
When Houses Burn
Cranberry Lane
Running in Circles
We’ll Begin Again
Also By R.K. Gold
The Little Black Book
Just Under the Sky
Brinwood
Third Life
