There was an unexpected outcry of anger and dissatisfaction in the audience, however this did not help. The Elder had spoken. I lowered my head, my shoulders sagging with depression as I waited to be dismissed.
“Louree,” the High Elder addressed him as he staggered to his feet with a confused look spreading across his face. “Come and state your Chosen.”
As he gingerly straightened upright he took a deep breath and said with firm conviction. “No.”
I glanced up in surprise. What?
Louree spoke with confidence. “Ruby is the real winner here. She sacrificed herself and her position on the Council to save my life. She acted with honour and unselfishness and, if this was a true test of character, then her redeeming qualities beat mine hands down. I refuse to accept the position.” He smiled at me for the first time ever. “It’s all yours Ruby.” He came over and bowed respectfully to me.
I just gaped at him in astonishment.
Behind me I could feel the Elder’s glare burning into my back. She stepped in front of me and hissed at Louree to leave, which he did with a smirk and a cheer from the crowd. She then raised her arms to the crowd to silence them and her mean eyes twisted to me.
“I guess I have no choice then,” she managed to say loudly through gritted teeth. “Ruby you have the position.”
With this the crowd applauded again. I glanced around, still in shock.
“Announce your Chosen,” the Elder commanded. “And make a speech.”
I gulped inwardly; speech. I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
I took a deep breath, “Jayson Wanowa? Would you come up here?”
I scanned my eyes around the crowd, nervously waiting for him to have pulled a runner, but then fortunately I saw him making his way through the crowd. Climbing onto the ancient stone stage, he came and stood beside me. I glanced at him, still feeling totally flabbergasted and still struggling to comprehend that I’d actually pulled this off. He smiled that happy open grin that always made me feel better, and he took my hand.
With his fingers wrapped supportively around mine and a great relief lifted from my shoulders, I began speaking honestly. “I know many of you were, or perhaps still are sceptical about me. It is true I am the daughter of Lynk Swartette, but if anything that has inspired me to be exactly the opposite of the kind of person he is. I will continue to work hard to prove my worth and to show that my position on the Council will help benefit all of Fire, and subsequently all of Kariak. I have good support,” I grinned at Jayson, “And with your support I will do my best for this proud land.”
“Well done Ruby,” Jayson murmured in my ear over the sound of cheering.
“Yes well done Ruby,” the Elder sneered at me, her piercing eyes burrowing into mine. She was obviously very unhappy with tonight’s proceedings. It almost made me smile. “You start tomorrow,” She continued, addressing both me and Jayson, “At seven.”
As she began to walk off the stage she stopped abruptly and turned over her shoulder to glance back. “Oh and by the way,” she said coolly, taking advantage of the noisy crowd; only me and Jayson could hear. “When you meet up with Blaze the day after tomorrow, you cannot take Jayson.”
My heart stopped at the thought but as I opened my mouth to protest she interrupted me; raising a finger as if I was a small child she wanted silent.
“It’s the law. You cannot both miss a meeting. That is the reason you have your Chosen on the Council; so they can fill in for you when you aren’t available. You’ll have to find someone else, of Fire, to protect you.” She smirked nastily, knowing I knew no one, and continued with a biting tone, “If not, I’m sure Blaze will take very good care of you.”
With that she smiled and walked off the stage.
It took us a while to get out of the Foundation. There seemed to be an endless string of people wanting to congratulate me or to wish me luck. Jayson’s friends had escaped long before me and Jayson managed to, and in the end we headed back to the Tribe House in a completely unusual direction; in a feeble attempt to avoid the crowd. When we were eventually alone I grabbed Jayson’s hand and leaned against him as we walked, feeling relieved and happy that he was no longer being grumpy with me.
I sighed, exhausted but momentarily content. “I’m glad that’s over.”
Jayson wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulder, sheltering me from the rapidly falling temperature as he muttered seriously, “What about tomorrow?”
I closed my eyes for a second, “That’s a long way away.”
I looked up at him and he smiled. It was his usual, warm smile. His relaxing presence was such a comfort. I didn’t know what I’d do without him.
Which reminded me. “Jayson,” I wondered. “What am I going to do about going with Blaze? I can’t go alone.”
“No I agree,” he said, his voice lowering ponderingly. “But who? The only people you know of Fire are my friends, and they’d be no help. Also Tara, the other assassin of Fire in my company, is doing a hit in Ephizon.”
“I won’t go with someone I don’t know anyway,” I grumbled. We were about half a mile from home now. “I might as well be alone with Blaze if that’s the case.”
“Would it be that bad?” Jayson wondered gently, “You’re much better at defending yourself now than you were.”
I shook my head, horrified at the thought.
“No,” I objected. “You don’t know what he was like. When he broke my shoulder…” I shivered at the memory. “He wasn’t just malicious. I can handle that, but he was, like… disgustingly sexual. He found it pleasurable that I was in pain. I won’t be alone with him. I know if he thought he could get away with it he would try something… I don’t want to think about what he’d do.”
“You never mentioned that,” Jayson said, his voice a bizarre mix of anger and upset.
I shrugged nonchalantly, “I didn’t particularly want to remember.”
We were silent for a couple of seconds. Only the crunch of our feet on the snow and our shallow breathing highlighted our presence. It was so cold now, cold enough that I could actually feel it, and as I exhaled a visible mist expelled from my lungs, drifting through the air like steam from a kettle. After a moment I managed to ask the question nagging at me.
“Do you think I should ask Kieran?” I spurted nervously, unsure of his response.
Jayson paused momentarily, then shrugged. “Well, the team won’t allow it, but then again they won’t have much choice as they need you. I can’t deny he’ll do the job credibly, but are you sure you want to ask him?”
I huffed. “I never want to ask him a favour, but for now, with only a day or so before I go, I don’t think I have any options. I need someone I can trust.”
“And you trust him?” Jayson’s voice was strained. We were rounding the bend that lead directly to the Tribe House now. We were nearly there.
I replied honestly, “I trust him to protect me. That’s pretty much it.”
I looked up as Jayson nodded, his vision set firmly forwards. “Ask him then,” he said, his tone lowly apathetic. I had no idea what he was thinking.
Suddenly he stopped. I halted instantly; nearly tripping because of the unexpected movement. I watched as his face hardened in severe irritation. He swore under his breath.
I looked up to see what he was looking at, realising that our entire apartment was lit brighter than any star. I could see through the windows that bodies were crammed into the space and I could hear music blaring from within its walls. The rest of the building looked dead; the entire house’s population, including the other Tribes, seemed to be in our quarter.
“Great.” He muttered, “Flint’s decided to celebrate.” I heard something smash and Jayson winced. “Let’s hope it won’t be as bad as last time.”
“What happened last time?” I wondered.
“Flint got in a fight and was arrested.” Jayson answered. “Meanwhile I was stuck picking the glass out of the carpet and paying for the expenses. It was no
t fun.”
“Oh,” I frowned as we headed into the building.
Chapter Twenty One
When we entered the apartment I realised instantly that Jayson had been right to worry, for what I saw was absolute chaos. There were people everywhere, an undeniable swarm of bodies. Some were dancing, some shouting, and the occasional couple were throwing punches. All around me music blared, feebly attempting to mask the sound of breaking glass and spilling drinks. Everywhere I looked drugs and alcohol were being dispensed, wet slippery bodies were grinding against each other and conversations were raised ever higher over the pounding, electric beat of drums.
As I gazed closer I noticed Kieran sat on one of the couches in the centre of the room. Beside him was Sofia, and on the other side were two equally gorgeous girls who he was presumably speaking to. His body language was odd, however, as his shoulders were stooped and his back rested too far into the sofa. As I began walking over to him, gesturing Jayson to follow my lead, I started to see things more clearly. Despite the painful beauty of the girls beside him he looked dreadfully bored and there were deep lines etched under his eyes. His green eyes were uncharacteristically dull. His skin was pale and he looked utterly exhausted; when had he last slept?
As I approached he noticed me and transformed instantly. He sat up suddenly and wrapped an arm over the back of the sofa; simultaneously resting it just above Sofia’s devastatingly beautiful hair. He raised his other hand to his lips and after a second I realised that clutched in his fingers smouldered one of his joints. Breathing in the smoke deeply, he then let it escape over his lips; dancing in an annoyingly sexy way. He smirked at me -an expression I hated- as I stopped in front of him.
“Don’t smoke that in here.” Jayson said; his voice echoing my irritation.
He didn’t say anything, but his eyes flickered with a sudden rebelliousness. He then deliberately moved the arm that was draped across the sofa and used it to stub his joint. He didn’t even wince as the glowing end of the roll up burnt his skin. His lips twisted at one end slightly, as if morbidly amused.
“I hope that hurt,” I said through gritted teeth.
“Well that’s just not very nice is it?” he said. His eyes slowly swept across my body, careful to notice anything out of the ordinary. “Well I take it by the spontaneous party that you didn’t get eaten alive by the other candidates.”
“I won,” I said curtly.
“Good for you.” He sighed, apparently uninterested.
“We need to talk to you alone.” I snapped. “If you could bear to leave your adoring fans for just a moment I’d be very grateful.”
“What if I don’t want to speak with you?” he wondered, his velvety voice calm but deliberately prying. He examined his nails speculatively, as if they were his current priority.
“You can leave,” Jayson suggested hopefully.
“Oh but I’m having such a wonderful time,” Kieran said sarcastically, his bottom lip jutting out like a sulky child’s.
I rolled my eyes and started walking away. I wasn’t in the mood to listen to his bickering antics. Jayson followed and eventually Kieran did too. We ended up on the balcony, ushering everyone else off of it first with a few stern words. I breathed in the cold air of this particularly clear night and abruptly realised I was knackered. It had been a very long night and, by the sounds of it, it wasn’t going to be finished anytime soon. I huffed, thinking that I had to be with the Council at seven tomorrow.
“So what’s this about?” Kieran wondered. “Need relationship advice? Is Jayson just not man enough for you in the bedroom?” He winked at me.
“I need your help,” I began.
“You do,” Kieran agreed, “That outfit is terrible. Firstly we’ll burn the shirt, then we’ll get started on the shoes-”
“Shut up Kieran,” I interrupted him. “I’m being serious. I need someone to come with me on this trip with Blaze-”
“What about Blondie?” Kieran said before I’d even finished. “I’m sure he’d take a bullet for you a lot faster than I would.”
I glowered at him, “Jayson has to stay to fill in for me on the Council.”
“Oh come on,” Kieran rolled his eyes. “You’ve been a member for about half an hour. I hardly think they’ll miss your excellent input.”
I shrugged, “That’s how it works. Trust me, I wouldn’t ask you if I had another choice. I can think of a million people I’d rather take.”
“I would be the best for the job,” he claimed, as if he was agreeing with something I’d said. “But I can’t. It’s my Garatourii tomorrow. You know, which I was forced into doing by you, to save your ungrateful ass.”
“I asked you to apply,” I snapped, annoyed at the self-righteous expression plastered onto his infuriating face. “Not to actually do the thing.”
“What can I say?” he smirked, “The Council want me. Can you blame them?”
“Or maybe the Council just want to set you a really hard task in the hope that you’ll be removed from the face of the planet,” Jayson muttered.
Kieran shook his head. “No, that’s not right,” he said confidently. “Even if they did want to kill me in the Trials, I’d still be a hundred times more competent than any other mindless idiot they put in there with me.”
“Aren’t Chara and Nik also in the Trials?” I asked pointedly.
“Yes, my point exactly,” he answered.
“So can you help me or not?” I huffed agitatedly.
“If I don’t show up I’ll lose my credibility.” Kieran proclaimed heartbrokenly, his eyes suddenly filled with sorrow. “I’d be laughed at in the streets. I’d be called a coward. I might not ever be able to get a girl again.” His face abruptly exploded into an amused smile, “Sorry, I can’t even keep a straight face while saying that.”
I took a deep composing breath, disappointed. “So Nik and Chara can’t help me either?” Kieran nodded. “Shit,” I muttered.
“Adrian doesn’t,” Kieran pondered.
Kieran disappeared out of the door suddenly and when he returned a moment later he was dragging Adrian onto the balcony.
“No no no. I’m not risking my life again for no apparent reason,” Adrian said stubbornly as he was yanked beside us, folding his arms across his chest.
“You’ll do as you’re told brother,” Kieran warned, his voice severe.
“Adrian can’t go, don’t be ridiculous.” Jayson said.
We all turned to him in surprise.
“And why not?” Kieran demanded.
Jayson stood there looking uncomfortable. “I mean,” he said slowly, pulling an awkward face. “What if the others, like, fly away and leave him or something.”
“I’m not going to leave him Jayson,” I said, puzzled by his expression. “And Adrian is a perfectly good protector on foot.”
“No,” Jayson said, looking flustered and petulant, “You need to take someone different Ruby; someone who can look after you properly. Someone you can trust.”
“I trust Adrian,” I frowned.
“You shouldn’t,” Jayson muttered under his breath, so quietly I barely heard. Louder he said, “You’ll both get hurt. It’s dangerous.”
“What’s this about Jay?” Adrian asked, unusually quietly. I glanced at Adrian in surprise; I’d never heard anyone call Jayson Jay.
“Don’t you dare call me that,” Jayson practically growled, his angelic amber eyes flashing with an unexpected rage; like immortal fire dwelled within his iris.
Adrian looked oddly hurt, and then his expression transformed into anger. “You know what?” he glared at Jayson but spoke to me. “I will go with you Ruby.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, glancing at Kieran as he stared bewilderedly at Jayson. At least it wasn’t just me confused by this bizarre interaction.
“Fine.” Jayson snapped. “Do what you want. Go ahead and get Ruby and yourself killed because of your pride.” With that he swept off the balcony and into the main room, slamming the door
shut behind him.
“He’s definitely getting his money’s worth out of those diva classes,” Kieran observed. “He’ll ace his exam in door slamming and dramatic exits.”
“When do you want me to go?” Adrian demanded to me, his voice still unintentionally harsh; though I doubted his agitation was destined for me.
“The day after tomorrow, at dawn.” I answered carefully.
Adrian nodded. “I need a drink,” he growled, and with that he left also.
“Well that was an awkward little domestic.” Kieran muttered. “Are you sure you want to be bound to him? They’ll be violence within the year I assure you.”
I looked up at Kieran in shock, “You know?”
“Did you think I wouldn’t figure it out?” he wondered sternly. “I know you need a Chosen for the Council. I just hoped it wouldn’t be him.”
“Well who else could it be?” I demanded, suddenly really annoyed at him. He had no reason to be irritated at me about that. Why even bring it up?
“I’d rather see you Bound to Adrian’s left ass cheek than him.” Kieran glared.
“Well it’s a good job it’s not your decision then isn’t it?” I smiled. “Otherwise I’d find introductions extremely difficult.”
“You want to be Bound to him don’t you?” Kieran glared. His eyes, previously dull, now blazed ferociously. “You’re loving this.”
“You have no right to have an opinion on this Kieran,” I said furiously, “I can do what I want, with whoever I God-damn want to. You forfeited the right to complain about who I choose to be with that day you healed my shoulder.”
“Well go ahead,” Kieran gestured inside, a mean smile plastered onto his infuriating face. “In your words, go ahead and do what you want with Jayson. See if I make a sound of complaint.”
“Fine I will,” I snapped, turning to walk away. I halted momentarily, then turned over my shoulder. “You are a major dick you know.”
Risen (The Firebird Trilogy Book 2) Page 25
