Moirai (3 page)

I frowned. “You can't say that! You've never met them.
You're making assumptions about people based on what?” I didn't understand
where Chancellor Collins got his opinion on some of the rebel cities. He'd
never been to Spade or Torv. He'd never set foot in Haven. He was willing to be
allies with his local neighbors but not the rebels further away? It made no
sense to me.

“On the contrary, I was from a town outside of Haven. I
know their politics and I don't believe things have changed in fifty years.”

What town had he been from? What was he talking about?
“Well it's too bad for you because our vote won,” I reminded him coldly. Maybe
I was acting childish, but I was irritated with Collins. It was hard to let
some things go, especially after he had suggested making a test subject out of
me!

Collins nodded, knowing as much. We were a democracy.
“Okay, okay.” He gestured for everyone to settle down. “Three of you will head east
and scout out the rebel towns. I would like an alliance, but more importantly
we keep our own information safe. Do you all understand me?” There were no
interruptions. Collins had found one thing everyone could agree on. “No talk of
the procedure or of Mindonsiphan. No indications that you have any abilities
outside of the usual realm of what you are capable of. No discussion of our
plans for infiltrating the government cities or the towns,” he clarified.

“Fair enough,” Jaxon responded. “What three are you
sending?” I could tell he wanted to be one of the three to go. He was leaning
forward, antsy in his seat, waiting for the news. Jaxon had always been a
leader. Even in training exercises he held the group together and instilled
teamwork. I wouldn't mind him coming along with me to the eastern rebel cities,
as long as he wouldn't take Joshua's place.

The Chancellor took a long moment, thinking it over,
“Jaxon you'll be leading the team with Margo and Mason.”

“What?” I objected, standing up. I was appalled. “I want
to be on that team! I've been out east, I know what conditions await us. I can
help! This isn't fair.”

“Life, child, is not always fair,” Collins remarked.

I rolled my eyes, disgusted with him. I was not a child.
It wasn't fair he kept me from going, but I was grateful Joshua hadn't been
sent off without me. Selfish perhaps, but the thought of something happening to
him was too much for me to bear.

Chancellor Collins stood up. “When the time comes for us
to take down the walls of Genesis, you will be invited to do your part,” he
informed me. “Until then, we need you in good health and alive.”

He left the room and Joshua stood up with me, nodding
towards the door for me to follow him. “You didn't say anything,” I urged,
walking with him down the stairs and outside into the cool, brisk air.

I wrapped my arms around myself and Joshua buried his
hands in his pants pockets. “What was I going to say? He already made up his
mind. It's better to have an ally, Olive.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” I stopped walking,
confused.

He pulled his hand from his pocket, grabbed my elbow, and
led me down the road towards our home. “It means that sometimes you go along
with ideas for the greater good and when the time comes to speak up and cause a
ruckus, you do it then.”

“I don't agree with that line of thinking,” I remarked,
pulling from his grasp as we headed into our quaint brick home.

Joshua closed the door behind us and grabbed firewood
from the back porch, bringing it in and starting a fire in the wood-burning
stove. “Of course you don't,” he sighed. “I don't disagree with everything
going on around here.”

“I never said I did,” I responded. “I don't agree with
being left behind when Jaxon, Margo, and Mason go out scouting the other towns.
Do they know how to handle the vehicle, let alone follow a map?”

Joshua bent in front of the fireplace, tending to it,
watching the flames grow slowly. “I'm sure they'll do fine.”

I heaved a heavy sigh as I sat down on the gray sofa,
kicking my feet up with me. “I hope you're right. Besides, what are we supposed
to do for the next few weeks while they're out making either friends or
enemies?” I wanted to trust they could handle befriending another rebel town
but I was concerned.

“Practice? Further train on our abilities? Maybe we could
even enjoy some time just you and me.” Joshua stared at me as I closed my eyes
and leant my head back on the sofa.

“Yeah, that'd be nice.”

“I'm serious.” He stood up. I didn't see him but I could
hear his heavy footsteps in our home as he approached. Joshua stood in front of
me, obstructing the firelight. I finally opened my eyes, feeling him standing
over me. “We're supposed to be engaged, Olive, and you barely touch me.”

“That's not true!” I objected, reaching my hand out to
his arm.

“That's not what I meant.” His eyes narrowed. I knew what
he was talking about.

“I'm not ready to get pregnant, Joshua. Now isn't the
time.” I still wasn't sure I ever wanted children, and to bring them up at a
time when we were about to wage war on our government seemed a horrible idea.

“No one is suggesting
now
,” he emphasized. He
didn't have to further elaborate. I knew what he meant. When we went to bed
together at night, we went to sleep. Nothing happened between us except for a
goodnight kiss. We were careful and Joshua probably thought we were too
careful, but I didn't care. I loved him but I wasn't ready for our world to get
thrown off its axis again. I felt comfortable, and settling into this new life,
I wasn't ready for any big surprises.

“We'll work on it, okay?” I offered, moving my legs to
let him sit on the sofa with me. Once he sat down, I laid my legs back down on
him, smiling weakly as I felt his eyes on me.

“I love you, Olive. I just feel like you keep me at arm's
length too often.”

I hated hurting Joshua. It was never my intention. I knew
he was right though—I had been acting that way, not out of anger or because I
loved him any less. “I guess I'm scared,” I admitted. “Afraid that if we get
too close, I'll want to do some things with you that we can't.” I felt my
cheeks blush in the glow from the fire.

He shifted closer, pulling me into his lap, and I felt my
heart quicken. “At least we're engaged,” he tried to make light of the
situation.

“We are,” I agreed, leaning closer, resting my forehead
against his. “Were you upset today when Collins insisted we both stay in town
when the others get to explore the eastern cities?”

Joshua laughed. “Not really. I'm glad for the quiet time.
I'm sure they expect us to continue our training and you to help Elsa in the
lab, which will be easier than traveling the Gravelands.”

“True.” I lifted my head, my lips gently touching his
cheek. “I guess I was looking for an adventure.”

“You're such an adrenaline junkie,” he teased.

“Yes, that's me.” I laughed, rolling my eyes. “You know
me so well.”

His hand reached out, stroking my cheek. His thumb grazed
over the slight scratch. “What happened?” He asked. “And why weren't you
wearing shoes at the council meeting?”

My eyes avoided his stare as I glanced at the fire. “You
don't want to know.”

From the corner of my eye I caught Joshua's stare. I
shifted, meeting his gaze. “I do,” he insisted.

“I decided to walk down to the river. I know it's cold
outside but it's nice not to worry about carrying my shoes back after I get my
feet wet.”

Joshua laughed, shaking his head. “It's January and
freezing outside. Are you crazy?”

“I just might be,” I smiled. “On the way back, Margo
decided it was time to move up to the next level of training. Which, I should
warn you, is pretty damn tough.” His thumb moved over the slight scab on my
cheek. I wondered how bad it looked. I could feel the slightest bit of pain and
reached for his hand, moving it from my broken skin. “It looks worse than it
is,” I insisted, not wanting to worry him.

“What do you mean, the next level of training?” Joshua
asked, trying to understand my words. “The element of surprise,” I answered. At
least that's what I thought Margo had attempted because she certainly scared me
in showing up near the river. She must have followed me out of Shadow. “Just,
watch your back, okay?”

Joshua leaned in, dropping a gentle kiss to my cheek. “I
always do.”

Joshua spent much of the morning helping Jaxon pack up
the vehicle, explaining as much as he'd known about Haven in hopes of helping
them on their journey to Torv and Spade.

I sat on the front step of the porch, watching. Maybe I
was a little bitter at not being entrusted with the mission. I understood their
reasons and motivations for making me stay but I didn't have to like it.

Mason swung a bag into the trunk of the car—the one we'd
brought into town that night barely eight months ago. So much had happened in
such a short time and it felt like it was only yesterday.

I stood in the gymnasium and felt a blast of cool air
as Margo stalked in. “Jaxon, what are you doing in here?”

“Training Olivia,” he snapped. “We only have a few
months to get her caught up to speed with what we know. Collins suggested I
work on glamour training today. Otherwise, they'll see right through the charade.”

Margo sighed, walking up to me as she reached for a
strand of my reddened hair. “Not enough berries in the world to cover your
entire face. Do you think a few months is enough? A little stress and she'll
fall apart.”

“I won't fall apart.” I was adamant. “I'm more than
capable, I just need to be trained.” My voice was firm, sharp. If anyone else
could pretend to look different, so could I.

Margo rolled her eyes. “I know you think you can
change the world, Olivia, but it first starts in here.” She tapped my chest,
pointing at my heart. I couldn't help but give her a peculiar look, confused.
“Hair dye works for people who don't know what you look like. It won't be
enough in Genesis.”

“I know.” I nodded in agreement. “That's why Jaxon
promised to help.”

Jaxon cleared his throat. “Are you done, Margo? Or are
you going to give us a hand?”

“Olivia isn't the only one who needs to sharpen her
skills,” Margo quipped, staring pointedly at Jaxon. I had no idea what they
were talking about and didn't even consider interrupting.

The corners of Jaxon's lips curved upwards smugly.
“You think I'm not prepared? I've got it covered,” he assured Margo. “I'll
prove it.” Jaxon's eyes landed on me, as did Margo's. I felt my pulse quicken
and my cheeks flush. With one foot in front of the other, I stepped closer to
Jaxon, invading his personal space, just a breath apart from him. My eyes
refused to leave his and Jaxon's gaze never wavered. “Kiss me,” he murmured.
The breath caught in my throat as my heart leapt in my chest. My thoughts
clouded, my mind in a terrible fog as I inched closer, feeling his breath
mingling with mine. My eyes closed as my hand reached out for his cheek, my
fingers grazing the slight stubble forming on his jaw. Something was terribly
wrong. Why was I doing this? I seemed to be cast under a spell, unable to
think, unable to stop myself, even if I wanted to.

“Jaxon, enough!” Margo shouted and just as quickly
Jaxon glanced away the spell broke. My eyes blinked once, twice—I was closer to
Jaxon than I should have been. I cleared my throat uncomfortably, moving my
hand off his warm flesh. My hand dropped down to my side and I took a step
back.

“What just happened?” I asked, feeling as if I'd been
dreaming: the thoughts were incredibly close but not quite easy to remember.

Jaxon laughed, raising an eyebrow at Margo. “Do you
still think I need to work on my skills?”

Margo smiled, shaking her head in dismay. “Yes, you
should have made her forget completely what you've just done.”

Jaxon stared at me, seriousness returning to his face.
“You won't tell anyone about our training session today, will you?” Had I just
tried to kiss Jaxon? What was I thinking? I was in love with Joshua!

“What did you do to me?” My eyes narrowed, frustrated
and confused. I didn't have feelings for Jaxon, why had I just done that?

Margo laughed, “Jaxon, you're in for a world of
trouble if Joshua finds out.”

He let out a heavy grunt. “I was training. Quit
causing more trouble.” he shot a wicked glance at Margo before turning towards
me. “I promise there are no lasting side effects. I was trying to practice
compulsion. It's essentially pushing one single thought into another's mind.”

“You were brainwashing me!” I exclaimed. My eyes
widened and stomach tensed.

“No.” Jaxon shook his head. “Maybe, I don't know.
Brainwashing sounds so cruel,” he frowned. “It isn't a big deal. Think of it as
hypnosis. It's not that big of a deal, unless I get it wrong,” he confessed.
“It's how I'll be able to help you in Genesis—” Jaxon paused, his eyes looking somber.
“I'm sorry if I crossed a line.”

We hadn't kissed. My lips had never touched his, and
even if he compelled me to do something, I had to be stronger to stop him. I
would vow to study and practice more, but perhaps without Jaxon being the one
to train me. “You did cross a line.” My answer was short, curt. “Don't think I
can forgive you for this, what you tried to do. It wasn't right.”

Jaxon nodded faintly. “I should have asked your
permission.”

“Yes, you should have.” I was angry but with time that
anger would fade. I knew what was at stake, the risks we all took for one
another. I didn't appreciate what he'd done, trying to make me kiss him to show
up Margo, but it hadn't happened and he'd apologized. I'd learn to get over it.