NINEHis smell is bliss. It’s all the things I’ve grown to like about this world rolled into one. In some nonsensical way, it reminds me of lush green grass, clear blue skies, and fluffy white clouds. His smell is happiness—something I’ve only felt when I’m with him. I told him I loved him not so long ago. It was a declaration I made out of desperation—like he has done just now. His three words roll off my skin, failing to absorb and hit me where they should. What did he say to me when I told him I loved him? ‘I can’t love you, Nine.’ It’s funny how things turn out. I blink, pulling myself from my thoughts, and focus on his concerned gaze. He has beautiful black eyes. When light hits them at the right angle, they sparkle like the sky at night. I wonder if he knows that. “You should go,” I croak, pulling against my chain. I wince as sharp bits of metal cut the sensitive flesh of my wrists. “People are staring.”“You think I care how they see me?”He takes his fingers from my face, an
KADEA deafening bang cracked through the air, vibrating the wood underneath his feet, and a shrill squeal pierced his ears. His stomach cramped, tightening itself into a painful knot. His first reaction was to shoot forward and as he slid the palms of his hands over her body, he expected blood. Her body shook as if she was in pain, but there was no evidence she was shot. Her shrill scream chilled his blood. The icy vessels cut through his veins and carved their way through his heart, making it twist in his chest. Nine sobbed uncontrollably as Soyer unchained her from the post, and she fell forward into Kade’s arms. He pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her breakable frame, and held on for dear life.Odd threads of guilt swirled inside of him as happiness manifested in his core. A dead body laid in a crumpled slouch beside him, but it was because of that dead body he now had everything he ever wanted. The sound of chains being cut clicked over the sound of the excited crow
KADEHer tears stopped flowing and her chest relaxed as he carried her up the stairs toward his bedroom. When they were inside, he locked the door and carried her to the bathroom. Kade didn’t say anything as he placed her, feet first, on the white tiles, and she released his neck to pull his jacket tighter around her. He looked over his shoulder at her before bending down to turn on the tap. Dark circles surrounded her swollen, red eyes. Her cheeks were hollow, her lips cracked. He wished he could heal her instantly, but it wasn’t possible. The healing she needed would take time, and although he knew he wasn’t the patient type, he had to be… for her.Hot water splashed against the pristine porcelain as he reached to the other edge of the bath and retrieved the plug. When he plugged it into the drain, the water filled the tub. Steam rose, getting thicker and thicker the longer the tap ran. Afraid to burn her already sensitive skin, he adjusted the cold tap until the billowing steam beca
NINEThe sun is up, filtering through the cracks in the boarded windows, its golden rays making the dust shimmer and dance. I lie on my hard mattress and stare at the dilapidated ceiling. I didn't sleep. How could I? Today is the day I'll be taken from this hell and forced to live out my days in another—happy eighteenth birthday to me.Blowing air from my lips, I sit up and glance around the grimy, dimly lit room. At least forty bumpy mattresses litter the floor, each one cradling the tired body of another eighteen-year-old Unfortunate.I heard stories about kids in the before time. A birthday was an exciting event they pencilled into their calendar every year. Birthdays were something they celebrated, something they sang about. At these celebrations, they danced, received gifts, and ate sweets. It was a milestone that commemorated their growth into adulthood. Into freedom. My soul longed for a time long past, for a celebration, dancing, and sweets.As the gap between an Unfortunate'
I straighten and stroll across the shower floor, pulled toward the deep purple gown. If I'm chosen today, I might as well face my fears in a pretty dress. The rest of the girls have the same idea I do and take the green, pink, and royal blue gowns. I pull my dress from its hanger and turn as the crying blonde crawls out of the kerfuffle, hugging the mustard dress to her wet body. I lift my eyebrows, astonished. Sniffling, she lifts her chin and squares her shoulders. Hope glistens in her piercing blue eyes, and as she turns away, I spot her number tattooed on the clean flesh behind her ear.Thirteen, that's her name.Without thought, I touch the tips of my fingers to the number nine tattooed behind my ear. If I'm chosen, will my Fortunate give me a name? Or will I still be known as Nine? I follow Thirteen across the bathroom to stand beside her in front of the murky, wall-sized mirror."You would've looked nice in the pink," I murmur, and her lips part, surprised I'm choosing now to t
NINEThe horses pull us through the outskirts of Freeport. Every now and again, the snake-like nerves in the pit of my belly writhe too much for comfort, but the clacking of the horseshoes over the wide cobblestone road soothes them back into a slumber. I peer through large shop windows and see Unfortunates running stores and cleaning tables in their plain, worn tunics. I wonder if I'll be sent to the town to work? I'd like that. I want to be in charge of something.Fortunates litter the pavements of the shopping district, dressed in fine suits and pretty dresses. I stare at them, gawking at the sheen in their hair and the cleanliness of their skin. They stare back at me, and it hits me then that I've never been in the presence of a Fortunate before, and seeing them so close makes the hair on the back of my neck stand. I avert my gaze, remembering one of the many rules that govern how I live my life. Don't make eye contact with a Fortunate unless they address you directly.We pass thro
KADEHe finally slipped into the solitude of his room, away from his incessant father. It's your birthday in a couple of weeks, his father's voice rang through his mind. It's tradition to receive an Unfortunate on your twenty-fifth birthday. You have no choice but to accept.Kade dropped into the oversized leather chair behind his desk and exhaled. He didn't want a gift from Michael Sario. He didn't want anything from him.He sat forward and glanced at the mining documents he'd been prying through for weeks. Something wasn't right. His mines were collapsing, and he had no idea why. He studied the map on the blueprint before him, trying to find a pattern. Nothing.A creak crept through the room as his door opened, but Kade didn't bother dragging his gaze toward the bodies entering his private space. He already knew who it was and what he brought with him. An eternity of silence passed before Michael scoffed. "Well," he said. "Here she is."Kade didn't lift his attention from the bluepr
KADEHis Unfortunate stood there, staring at him. Her violet eyes watered, and a tiny sliver of skin beside her nose twitched. The air was tense. All eyes were on him and his Unfortunate, and there was no room for error.Nine peered through her long, dark lashes for a second too long. He knew it, the crowd knew it, and they murmured their excitement. Kade handed the iron branding pole that bore his family's lion symbol back to Clive and snatched Nine by her small bicep. She gasped as he yanked her along the stage. Then, shoved her over the table, and she made a noise that knocked the air from her lungs. He pulled at the knot of her gown and tugged the fabric down her back, exposing her shoulder's smooth, flawless skin. Clive handed Kade his pole. Nine lifted her head off the table and glanced at Kade for reassurance, but he'd never comforted anyone in his life. Colour drained from her face, and she shut her eyes as she rested her cheek against the wood and gripped the edges.He moved