Numbers Ignite (16 page)

I floated toward them, mesmerized. When I reached the corner, Mandie smiled at me. Her arm moved the stick back and forth with incredible grace. Her music soared like a bird taking flight, wavered a little, climbed still higher, and then plunged to a dramatic end just as her mother’s song rose again, in perfect harmony. I felt myself moving, swaying with the tune.

“You like this song?” Coltrane said beside me. He watched me with a soft smile, warmth filling his gaze.

“It’s incredible,” I said. “I’ve never heard anything like it.”

“It’s not her fault,” Ruby said from behind us. “They don’t have music in NORA.”

I whirled to face her. She wore a brilliant, sparkling silver uniform dress. It caught the liquid lantern glow, sending it a thousand different directions. Several stripes lined one arm.

A uniform dress. Old-fashioned in cut and style but definitely NORA-made.

I had stood in front of a mirror just weeks ago, gazing at my own sequin-lined uniform dress. I’d clung to the fabric as I shivered, convincing myself that it was the cool night air and not nervousness. Convincing myself that what I was about to do was right.

Don’t think about that.

“What do you mean, NORA doesn’t have music?” Coltrane asked. “Every civilization has music. It’s hardwired into our DNA.”

“Let me clarify,” Ruby said. She didn’t notice me staring at her dress. “NORA has
songs
. But with each generation, the usefulness of music in general has faded a little more. You see, in NORA, the ‘harder’ subjects and skills receive more points, like science and mathematics. And athletics, for some reason. But passions like art and music? They don’t directly contribute to society, so they practically don’t exist.” She turned to me. “At least that’s the direction it was headed when I left. Would you agree, dear Amy?”

“Hmm?” I pulled myself out of my thoughts and watched Mandie take a bow. The song had ended. “That was amazing, wasn’t it? I had no idea she could play like that.”

“Maybe you can take lessons from her,” Coltrane suggested. “Although you may have to trade for your own violin. I doubt her mom will let you touch either of theirs. She doesn’t seem to like you much.”

“Right.” I grimaced at the look Mandie’s mother gave me from across the room, as if she expected me to raise the fires of hell at any moment.

Ruby just smiled. “I remember that feeling, the first time I heard a violin. It was like falling in love.”

Coltrane turned to her in surprise. “You’ve been in love?”

“Of course.”

“You were married?” he asked. “I didn’t know that.”

“I didn’t say I married him,” Ruby said. “Although we probably would have married if…” Her voice trailed off as the violins began again.

“If you hadn’t left,” I finished for her.

Ruby bit her lip and looked away. It was a strange reaction for a woman in her seventies. She’d lived here for decades. Had it taken her that long to get over him?

“Maybe you’ll find someone here,” Coltrane said. “There’s no age limit for presenting a mate to the elders.”

Ruby put a gentle arm around his shoulders. “Such a kind thing to say. I’m afraid those days are gone for me. But, you, sweet Coltrane? I have a feeling that you’ll find your own once-in-a-lifetime love someday.”

“I hope so,” Coltrane said, glancing at the opposite corner from the musicians. A few couples gathered over there, all around our age. I caught a glimpse of several rings. “Good to see you, Ruby. If you don’t mind, we’re going visiting for a bit before the presentations. Amy, come meet my friends.”

“Um,” I said, catching a glimpse of Lillibeth in the corner, speaking with some older adults. Those had to be the elders. “Are you sure? Don’t you need to practice your presentation?”

“I’m not worried about it. Come on, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

Ruby smiled meaningfully, and Coltrane grabbed my arm, pulling me through the crowd toward his friends in the corner. They watched us approach. At the last moment, Coltrane’s hand slid down my arm and grasped my hand in his. I blinked, then pulled my hand away, but the damage was done.

“Who’s
this
?” a guy with close-cropped brown hair asked. One arm was draped around a girl.

“Hey, Kev,” Coltrane said, then nodded to the girl. “Lacey. This is—”

“Wait, don’t tell me,” the girl said. She wore the same color blue as me, but her dress followed her curves and stopped just below the knee. “That’s the girl you found, right? The one who got bit?”

“I’m Amy,” I said, folding my arms so Coltrane wouldn’t try to take my hand again. “Nice to meet you all.”

“How romantic!” Lacey said. “You rescued her, then you guys fell in love. It’s like a story. Is that why you’re applying for a dwelling permit after your presentation?”

Coltrane looked at me. “That’s not exactly—”

“What in the stars is she doing here?” a voice shouted from the doorway. We turned to see Maxim standing there. He wore a gray, collared shirt that emphasized his shoulders. He strode toward us, then stopped, towering over me and Coltrane both. His eyes bored into mine. “And here I thought Lillibeth cared about our safety.”

“I do,” Lillibeth said, walking over. I hadn’t even seen her arrive. “This is not the time, Maxim.”

“What is, then? First you completely ignore my report about strangers setting up camp in the town—”

“We’re discussing that. It’s not your concern.”

Maxim continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “And then this. The girl should have been gone within the hour. And yet here she is, the leader of NORA, wearing that ridiculous dress like she belongs here.”

The room went dead silent.

“Those reports are private,” Lillibeth snapped.

“Except when you choose to ignore them and endanger us all,” Maxim snapped. He pointed at me. “They’re looking for her, and you know it.”

Lillibeth folded her arms. “We don’t know that it’s her.”

“What other green-Rated girl with short dark hair could it be?” Maxim said. “My intelligence network confirmed it this morning. They’ve offered a hundred Rating points to any citizen who brings her in. They’re desperate. I bet once we contact their emperor and turn her over, he’ll give us a permanent pardon. We won’t need to hide any longer.”

“You are not to discuss such things in public, Maxim,” Lillibeth said. Her face was nearly purple with anger. “You’ll scare everyone unnecessarily.”

“They should be scared. They finally know the truth.” Maxim walked over to his mother, who watched him, her face blank. She held her violin tightly to her side. Maxim continued. “Every refugee who passes by says the same thing. There was a protest in the capital city led by a girl with dark hair and a high Rating who claimed to be the successor.”

My uniform dress was full of sequins. I didn’t want to go dressed like that, where everyone could see.

“But they were arrested as soon as they reached the palace,” he said dramatically, enjoying the attention. “The girl was pulled out of the group, and then the protesters got blown to pieces. She survived. The girl disappeared, and a new emperor, young and stupid as they come, took the throne.” He leveled his gaze on me. “Guess she didn’t care how many people died as long as she got what she wanted.”

“You’re saying that Amy is the successor to the NORA throne?” Coltrane asked incredulously.

“Was,” Maxim corrected. “She’s been replaced. But you can bet they want her back. Must want to put her on trial for what she did.”

You’ve killed us all.

“Amy,” Coltrane said. He grabbed my arm, and I recoiled from his touch. “Is it true?”

Ruby stood there watching me, a thoughtful frown on her face. The chef, Dale, stared at the ground, still holding a half-full tray of snacks. Mandie looked at me pleadingly, her arm tight on her violin. And Lillibeth watched me with her jaw clenched. Our secret was out.

When I didn’t answer, Coltrane’s voice was quiet. “I see.”

Maxim smiled coldly. “Whatever she said to convince you that she’d live the pact was a lie. This girl is a murderer, and she deserves to pay for her crimes. Let me turn her in, and then we’ll live like kings.”

Quiet murmuring filled the room. Coltrane’s cheeks were bright red. So much for his grand presentation. The music and laughter and conversation had ended. I’d ruined their party, just as I ruined everything I touched.

Even when I tried to help people, I ended up hurting them in the end.

I turned and stumbled toward the door, but Maxim caught my arm.

“Let her go, Maxim,” Lillibeth said as I entered the tunnel. “Elders, if you’d join me in the corner. We have some things to discuss.”

My first instinct was to try another escape, but I had no desire to let the scene with that guard, Violet, play out again. Besides, I still didn’t have supplies. I’d made a bargain with Lillibeth, and I’d kept it. It wasn’t my fault Maxim had barged in and made all those accusations.

Or maybe it was. I’d been so blind, assuming nobody would recognize me.

Instead, I headed for Lillibeth’s dwelling. It would be the first place she looked when their little meeting was finished, but I’d be long gone by then. All I needed were a few supplies. And a way to escape, of course.

Several turns before I got there, footsteps pounded behind me. I hid behind a corner until my pursuer trotted past, then relaxed. It wasn’t Maxim. “Coltrane.”

“Amy.” He turned, but a frown had replaced his usual smile. “Or whatever your name is. You’re leaving, aren’t you?”

“It’s Ametrine. Treena, actually. I’m sorry—I should have told you everything. I didn’t think you guys would understand if you knew who I really was.” And what I had done.

Coltrane came toward me. When I didn’t back away, he lifted his hand to my cheek. “That’s it, right there—that expression you wear when you remember. Regret. I’ve seen it so many times. I know I’ve only known you a couple of weeks, Amy, but whatever you are, you’re definitely not a murderer.”

His words seemed to melt something in my chest, something hard and cold. The emotions I’d dammed up for the past weeks began to surface, overwhelming my senses. I swallowed hard. “I couldn’t face those people.”

He let his hand drop. “I know you think they’re mad at you—”

“Not them. I mean the NORA citizens, that night the bomb hit. All those people died supporting me. So many broken families, Coltrane. So much pain. I couldn’t live in a palace while they suffered. Wherever I go, people are hurt.”

He took a step closer, pinning me against the wall. “That’s not true. You’ve made things down here a little better.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I taught kids how to read and used up valuable food and medicine. That’s basically all I’m good for down here.”

“You can learn. There’s still time.”

I shook my head. He’d never understand. “Are they coming to kick me out soon?”

He hesitated for a brief second. “They can’t. The pact protects you until you’re proven to be a danger. We accept everyone, no matter where they’re from and regardless of their past. Don’t worry about Maxim, either. My mom will calm him down.” Coltrane took my hands in his and looked into my eyes. “I want you to stay, Amy. With me.”

I stared at his hands, gripping mine so tightly I couldn’t pull away. “What are you saying?”

“As soon as we’re promised, you’re safe. You’ll automatically become a member of the settlement, equal in every way, entitled to our protection.” He took my hands and looked into my eyes, the same way he’d done during the chopper scare. “My friends thought we made a great couple, and I was going to apply for a dwelling permit tonight. We can do it together—”

I jerked my hands away. “Are you asking me to
marry
you?”

“Coltrane!” a voice shouted from down the hall. Lillibeth.

He jumped to his feet, but the color in his cheeks was from anger, not embarrassment. “Never mind. Forget I asked.”

“I don’t—”

“Just forget it,” he snapped.

“I just want to find somewhere I can never hurt people again,” I said softly. “Even you.”

Lillibeth came around the corner. She was sprinting. Alarm shot through my body as she pulled to a halt, breathing hard. Had they already made a decision? I’d lost my chance to sneak out.