Chosen Read online

  I exhaled, choosing to follow my instinct. “You’re right.”

  His shoulders rolled back and he blinked. “I am?”

  I twisted my hands in the long fabric of my sleeve. “I wanted Lorie to become my apprentice, not only for the income, but for the security holding a public service position may give her.”

  Hyde tilted his head to the side. “Security? Are you referencing to the Census?”

  “Yes.”

  His surprised whistle pierced my ears. “Well, I didn’t expect that.”

  The statement surprised me. What else could I have wanted?

  I remained silent while I gave him time to consider the revelation.

  Hyde’s gaze grew sympathetic. He reached out and took my cold, limp hand. It was a bold move, but our few conversations seemed to increase his confidence.

  “I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t believe people’s positions within the village affect whether or not they are recruited.”

  The small thread of hope Lin instilled in me coiled into a tight ball, growing smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely.

  “I figured as much,” I murmured. “But I had to give it a try.”

  “I am sorry,” Hyde repeated, rubbing his fingers against my pale knuckles. “Truly.”

  I forced myself to meet his gaze, giving him a weak smile. “It’s fine. Really. Thank you for telling me.” I moved to continue walking down the dirt road, stepping forward and forcing Hyde to release my hand.

  Soon after, I made up an excuse about checking on a patient who lived a good distance away and escaped Hyde’s company. I immediately went home and shared what I learned with Lin.

  Neither of us bothered to hide our disappointment, but there was nothing we could do. We had to accept Lorie might be recruited, but we chose to hold out hope that luck would be on our family’s side.

  That was, we planned to rely on luck. Things changed the moment I received Hyde’s letter.

  “Tell me again,” Lin’s voice broke through my memory. “What, exactly, did the letter say?”

  I sighed. I’d told my sibling the contents of the note a dozen times. “It said Alorie’s attendance at the banquet is no longer required. If we wish for her to remain in Caldiri, we should keep her confined inside for the census week.”

  Lin’s lips pinched together. “It seems too strange. I wish I’d been able to see the letter with my own eyes.”

  “I know.” Within the contents of the letter, Hyde instructed me to burn evidence of our communication. He made secrecy seem like the deciding factor regarding his plan’s success. I obeyed the directive without question. It was only after that I wondered if I’d been too hasty in following his instruction.

  “Regardless,” Lin dropped his voice as the crowd around us increased in size. “I pray to the gods that Hyde’s plan, whatever it is, will work.”

  I nodded. Me too.

  The stone wall surrounding Lord Stanley’s manor came into view. The villagers were slowly moving across the bridge separating our side of the muddy, undrinkable stream from the leader’s land. Above the sea of heads, I noticed the wooden gates were opened. People crossed the threshold into the courtyard.

  “Lissa,” a familiar voice called. Before I could turn my head, Jem stood at my side. “There you are. I was looking for you. Nice hair.” He reached out and tucked a recently dyed brown strand behind my ear.

  I smiled, already feeling the comfort of his presence. “I’m glad you found us.”

  Jem leaned forward to look at the other side of me. “Hello, Arlin.”

  “Jem,” my brother greeted with little inflection. I turned my gaze to him and raised my eyebrows, silently commanding he be nice to my friend.

  Jem didn’t notice the exchange. Or, if he did, he chose to overlook it.

  “Where is Lorie?” he questioned, glancing to his left and right. “I figured she’d be with you for her first banquet. Did she make the walk with her friends?”

  “Shh,” I shushed. My eyes scanned those around us, trying to see if anyone had heard his inquiry.

  “What?” Jem frowned, confusion creasing his tan forehead. “What did I say?”

  “I will tell you later,” I quickly offered. “For now, please, don’t mention Lorie.”

  Instantly, Jem’s expression grew wary. “Lissa? What have you done?”

  “Nothing.” I abandoned my brother’s arm and latched onto Jem, forcing myself to continue moving with the crowd. “Please, Jem. Trust me.”

  Those two words worked like magic. My friend squeezed my hand and said, “All right.”

  Relief flooded my body. I knew the villagers, especially those closest to my family, would notice Lorie’s absence. I had expressed the same concern to Hyde the day after receiving his letter.

  Hyde, too, had contemplated that aspect of his plan. He reminded me that what mattered was keeping Lorie out of the census agents’ notice. Even if villagers detected Lorie’s lack of attendance, none would venture to address it with Lord Stanley or the agents. They, themselves, were too afraid of being noticed to draw such attention.

  With another appreciative squeeze, I returned my arm to my brother. Resting my hand on his forearm, I let him lead me into Lord Stanley’s courtyard with Jem walking on my other side.

  As always, the magnificence and splendor of Lord Stanley’s ballroom stole my breath away. It was hard to imagine such beauty and luxury existed in the world, let alone inside a home in Caldiri. The desire to soak in the stunning art and finery felt overwhelming, but I forced myself to remember the purpose of the banquet I attended.

  I would enjoy the best food and drink like everyone else, but I refused to forget that it was all a show for the draekon agents sent to steal away my neighbors.

  Trailing after Lin, Jem and I followed as he led us to a table in the middle of the immense space.

  “It is best to avoid the front and back of the room,” Lin said, pulling out a chair for me, remembering the manners our late guardian instilled in us. “Agents always scour the front and rear tables for candidates first.”

  I shook my head and reached out for the water glass beside my plate. Jem sat in the chair to my right, happy to defer to Lin’s knowledge on the subject. He was nineteen, still eligible for recruitment. And even though we were close friends and I never thought of him romantically, I knew he was handsome. Jem would be a favorable candidate to any agent. I sent up a silent prayer for both Jem and myself to be inconspicuous to the draekon visitors. Losing Jem to the capital would be just as painful as losing Lorie.

  A bullhorn blasted from the front of the ballroom, sounding like the start of battle rather than dinner. All eyes turned to the raised platform where Lord Stanley stood, flanked by four identically dressed draekon.

  I examined them, noticing the same fire-red emblem embossed in the center of their black leather tunics. Their clothing was skin tight, showing off the curves of the two females and the muscles of the two males. The candlelight shined off the ebony material and made their knee-length boots glisten. Aside from Lord Stanley and Hyde, the only draekon I’d ever seen were the agents. The census was my third, and the agents never looked anything but stoic and menacing. They carried the full authority of the king and were not to be trifled with.

  Nervously, I wrapped my finger around a strand of hair hanging over my shoulder. I looked at the unfamiliar color, applauding myself for developing the realistic looking dye more than two years ago. I glanced at my brother and observed the same hue covering his head.

  Originally, Lin had been against using the product, but I insisted. Our goal was to be as unnoticeable as possible during the census week, and our rare blond hair would make that next to impossible. If he was going to accompany me, we both needed to blend in.

  As for Lord Stanley noticing and reporting the information to the agents, I doubted he would remember any villagers enough to realize our hair color was changed. He wasn’t one to mingle with the common folk.

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nbsp; I lowered my hand. I wasn’t entirely sure where my family’s light hair came from. I knew we were not originally from Caldiri, but our parents never revealed our origin to the man they hired to be our guardian. Aside from the fact we shared the same blond hue, I hardly remembered what my mother and father looked like. I grew up thinking I would simply ask my parents about our heritage once they returned, but it had been some time since I last held out hope they would come back for us.

  Fourteen years was a long time without any news. I’d accepted my mother and father must have died long ago. The alternative was too painful to consider.

  “Men and women of Caldiri,” Lord Stanley’s voice boomed through the great room. “Thank you for joining us for this welcoming banquet.”

  I sniffed. Like we have a choice.

  Under the table, Jem reached over and rested his hand over mine. He squeezed once, silently reprimanding my reaction while also providing comfort.

  “My wife and I are honored by your attendance, and we appreciate you giving up an evening of work to be with us.”

  His words caused my attention to drift to a slender figure standing slightly behind him. I hadn’t noticed her at first, but Lord Stanley’s wife was standing beside him.

  Lady Gretchen was beautiful. I knew she wasn’t from Caldiri, but reports said she came from an equally poor region. The information was surprising, considering the fact Caldiri was labeled the poorest land in the kingdom.

  I often wondered how such a slight woman could have come to marry the powerful draekon ruling over Caldiri, but no one seemed to know the answer. There were rumors, of course, but no concrete information revealed the history of Hyde’s parents.

  Watching Lady Gretchen meekly stand behind her husband, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. My mind conjured numerous scenarios of what the woman’s life might be like, each one more awful than the last.

  “If you would, please join me in welcoming the crown’s agents for this year’s census.”

  My hands automatically came together and joined in as the rest of the room clapped for Lord Stanley’s words. Not a single part of me, not even the most miniscule, actually welcomed the draekon to my home region. But to not clap would only serve to break rule number one of census week: avoid drawing attention to myself.

  So, I clapped with polite enthusiasm. On my left and right, Lin and Jem mimicked the action.

  Lord Stanley raised a hand. The room fell silent.

  “As you enjoy dinner, agents will be venturing amongst you, searching for the best candidates to represent Caldiri in the capital. I know you will all treat them with the greatest respect and represent Caldiri well.” There was an undercurrent of threat in Lord Stanley’s tone but before it could settle, he clapped his hands once, and a chorus of instruments began filling the room. Platters and goblets were placed on the tables, but my gaze locked onto the stringed instruments and the humans eliciting their beautiful sounds.

  Music was rare in Caldiri. Instruments were expensive and impractical, leaving very few of them in the region. Only a handful of my neighbors could actually play an instrument. The census agents always brought talented humans along for the welcoming banquet; it was the only time I truly heard gifted musicians. If there was anything good about The Census, it was the chance to admire music.

  As I listened, my pulse accelerated to match the beat of the melody. My heart fluttered at the delicate, yet powerful notes flying in the air. I began to sway in my chair, letting myself get lost in the beautiful sounds. While I couldn’t play an instrument, I loved to sing. My vocal chords longed to be released and join the musical notes, but I shoved down those urges. Again, the goal was to not be noticed. Suddenly bursting into song would surely ruin that plan.

  Remembering my surroundings, I stopped moving and pulled my eyes from the musicians. Jem’s smirk snagged my attention.

  “Enjoying yourself?”

  “Oh, be quiet.” I flung my cloth napkin at him.

  He chuckled and graciously returned the item.

  “An agent is walking towards this section,” Lin said, ending our short moment of levity. “Lissa, come. We will go to the beverage table until she passes.”

  I rose to my feet. “Only if Jem comes with us.”

  Lin’s lips twisted. I knew he would prefer to keep our group number small to avoid notice, but I wasn’t leaving Jem to speak with an agent alone. “Fine. But no talking to each other or anyone else. Follow me.”

  Lin stepped away from the table with its elegant place settings and moved to the western-facing wall. Lengthy tables lined the wall, covered with crystal glasses filled to the brim with different spirits.

  I offered encouraging smiles to neighbors who made eye contact as we passed, moving away from the agent strolling down our row of tables. Many smiled back while others simply dipped their head in acknowledgment. No one felt free to speak. All of us were too afraid of who might be listening.

  We arrived at the beverage table. I scanned the many options, unsure which one I should take in order to blend in. They didn’t look like the same drinks from previous banquets, and I didn’t want to risk selecting a potent concoction. I needed to have my wits about me to survive the evening.

  Jem saved me by reaching out and picking up a glass filled with a pale pink liquid. “Here.” He handed me the drink. “It’s a form of lemonade. No alcohol.”

  “Thank you.” I took a small sip. I closed my eyes briefly, allowing myself to savor the tart, yet sweet, flavor. Next to me, I heard Jem’s soft chuckle.

  I opened my eyes, ready to engage Jem in playful banter when Lin lightly touched my elbow and guided me towards a dim corner in the ballroom. It wasn’t totally dark, allowing us to remain in sight, but it was out of the way enough to allow us some semblance of solitude. Crossing my fingers, I hoped no agents looked our way.

  Feeling safe by my diligent brother’s side, I allowed myself the luxury of looking around the ballroom.

  Almost every seat was occupied, every villager eating his or her fill of the delicious smelling food. Some braved conversation with those around them while others were content to eat in silence. I guessed alcohol was responsible for loosening some tongues.

  Continuing my perusal, a black-clad form caught my attention. One of the draekon, a male, spoke with Peter Martin, my patient’s son.

  My stomach fell. The last thing the Martin family needed was to lose their eldest son. He was the only one capable of work. His income at the lumber yard was all that kept the family afloat.

  My fingers twitched, longing to reach out and snatch the young man away from the evil agent.

  I continued to watch their exchange, audibly exhaling when the draekon moved away to speak with a young girl.

  “Enjoying the view?” a female voice drew my attention. I spun around and nearly gasped when I noticed a female agent standing less than five feet away. Beside me, I felt both Lin and Jem stiffen. None of us detected her approach.

  The agent continued to observe me. I realized she waited for a reply. “Yes, ma’am,” I said, surprised that my voice didn’t waver. “The decorations are beautiful.” I prayed she didn’t know what I had really been staring at.

  “Indeed,” she replied with a knowing grin. “As are you.”

  No, no, no.

  “And you as well.” The female draekon turned her onyx eyes to one of the men over my shoulder. I resisted the urge to glance and see who she was looking at. “What is your name?”

  “Arlin.”

  No!

  “Arlin,” her tongue rolled my brother’s name, pressing it suggestively against her lips as she observed him. “What an intriguing scar you have. Tell me, how did you get it?” Her expression filled with admiration and lust. The emotions practically oozed out of her skin.

  “A close run-in with a scythe while working the fields,” he lied effortlessly.

  “It’s lovely.” The agent stepped around me and closed the distance between her and my brother. Liftin
g her hand, she reached out like she intended to touch the puckered skin. My hands clenched, but Lin didn’t move a muscle. He watched the agent with thinly-veiled disdain. I prayed I was the only one who noticed.

  I was in the middle of mentally chastising my brother’s behavior when I remembered he wasn’t in any danger. He was twenty-two, past the years of eligibility. Still, it was never a good thing to attract a draekon’s attention.

  Absolutely never.

  “Many draekon would be… intrigued with by such a mark on a handsome young man. Tell me, how would you feel about being recruited to work in the capital?”

  My heart stopped. Even knowing Lin was safe, hearing an agent blatantly discuss recruitment threatened to undo the tenuous hold I had on my emotions.

  I’d never had a conversation with an agent, thank the gods, but since when did they start asking our opinions about recruitment?

  And what happened to them only recruiting the most-fit and best-looking humans? I didn’t know what to think about the interaction.

  Lin, however, was as composed as ever. “I am beyond the age of eligibility,” he told her with no emotion. “I am only here to enjoy the food.”

  The agent’s red lips pursed, and her eyes filled with disappointment. “Pity. You would have been a welcome addition to our society.”

  Lin tilted his head forward but said nothing.

  The agent continued to observe him, looking as if she’d just lost a potentially entertaining toy. “My name is Scarla Stone. If you ever decide to emigrate to Draek, look me up. I am sure I can find you a respectable position.” With one last perusal of my brother’s figure, the agent turned and glided away. She did not spare Jem or me another glance.

  I waited ten seconds before releasing the breath I’d been holding. I ran a shaky hand down the front of my beige tunic. “I thought I was going to faint,” I whispered so only Lin and Jem could hear.

  “Me too,” my friend seconded, sounding weak.

  “What was with her offering you a job if you moved to the capital?” I shook my head, watching as Agent Stone moved to speak with another young villager. “No sane person would willingly go there.” Only an insane person would willingly walk into the unknown capital of Draek and submit themselves to the mercy of the beasts. Sure the city was wealthy, but only the draekon were able to access that wealth. All you had to do was look at the system in Caldiri to see that was true. The draekon were greedy, and I’d rather strive for a better life around friends and family than venture to the capital alone.