Chosen

by Samantha Britt

  Other than a few curious glances, hardly anyone paid us any attention as we strolled through Draek. I supposed we wouldn’t appear unusual. Draekon must roam the city with their companions all the time, but the thought anyone might view me as the agent’s companion made my stomach turn.

  “It’s a shame you feel the need to hide your hair,” Agent Leith interrupted the quiet between us. The city’s natural noises sounded around us.

  “It would draw additional attention.”

  “And you are embarrassed to be seen with me.”

  I wanted to roll my eyes. “I’m trying to remain unseen.”

  “But why? Did you sneak out of the castle?” His curiosity was genuine.

  Hardly. I’d walked right out of the main gate.

  “No, but I don’t want anyone to link my outing with Lin. Especially, not after learning what he’s involved in.” I chose my words carefully, aware of the crowded street.

  He leaned close like a lover whispering sweet compliments. I shivered involuntarily as his lips brushed the shell of my ear. “You could help him, you know.”

  I resisted the impulse to pull away. “How?”

  “Lin is in the city to gather intelligence on the king’s armies. As a regular presence in the castle, you could help him.”

  I finally understood Agent Leith’s angle.

  “You want me to spy?” I leaned away to look into his face.

  He didn’t falter. “Yes.”

  “Does Lin know?”

  “I broached the subject, but your brother insisted on leaving you out of the rebel plots.” The news was not surprising. Lin spent his entire life protecting me. He wouldn’t stop just because he joined the rebellion.

  “Yet, you still ask it of me?” My distrust was evident. “Why?”

  “Because you are smart, and you are in a unique position at the castle. You interact with the princess, and you treat many patients. Including soldiers.”

  I faced forward. We turned down the main road, which led to the castle gates. “You want me to interrogate soldiers while I treat them.”

  It wasn’t a question, but Agent Leith still answered. “Yes.”

  I shook my head, unhappy with how I continued to find myself in baffling situations. “You ask too much, Agent Leith. I don’t even know if I can trust you.”

  His steps halted, and our connected arms pulled me to a stop. “I know you don’t know me well enough to believe me, but everything I do—everything I ask—is for the good of the kingdom. You do not trust me, but let it be some consolation that your brother does. By gathering information about the king’s forces, you are helping the rebellion. Therefore, you are helping your brother.”

  I avoided his gaze, turning my head to stare at the pristine building over his shoulder. For all I knew, Agent Leith had tricked my brother into the rebellion with lies and false hope. I didn’t see a way where the rebellion would actually win. The draekon had ruled our continent for centuries. They were strong and well established. My eyes trailed the mortar between the square stones, torn with the desire to help my brother while also keeping far away from the doomed rebellion.

  Agent Leith remained undeterred. “Whether you like it or not, the rebellion is real. And we are mounting an offensive against the draekon. Your brother stands with us. If you want to increase his chances of survival, you will help us.

  “And,” he said, lifting a hand to stroke my cheek, a reminder that we were putting on a show for watching eyes. “Just call me, Leith, dear.”

  The final platitude did nothing to erase the not-so-subtle threat to my brother. The danger would not come from the agent’s own hand, but he made sure to bring it to my attention.

  I applauded myself for not flinching away when his fingers brushed my skin.

  “I’ll think about it, Leith.” With a slight pull, I prodded him to continue our walk to the castle. He complied without resistance, though, I marked the smug smile covering his lips. He thought he’d won.

  There was nothing I wouldn’t do to help either of my siblings. I’d gladly put my own neck on the line if it meant they would be safe. But helping the rebellion meant putting me and my sister in danger. If a draekon found out I was involved in any way, I did not doubt my punishment would be of the life-ending variety. I’d be leaving Lorie to fend for herself. That was, as long as she wasn’t condemned for my crimes by association.

  I didn’t know what to do.

  Should I help my brother and fix the mess he made by allying himself with the rebels?

  Or should I return to my not-so-terrible life as a castle healer and let his choices dictate his future.

  Agent Leith and I parted ways outside of the castle gates. Still continuing with our show, Agent Leith pulled me close and pressed a kiss on the corner of my mouth. To anyone watching, it looked like a kiss full of adoration and romance. To me, it only felt calculated.

  Agent Leith had spent his life trying to appear one way while acting the opposite. He’d mastered the art of deception. I was merely a pawn in his elaborate game. It was hardly a good strategy to gain my trust.

  The royal guard on duty recognized me and offered a friendly greeting as I entered the castle. I replied with polite words, but they tasted like ash in my mouth. I’d been asked to spy on him and those like him. I planned to betray the trust and freedom given to me in order to bring down the draekon.

  The courtyard was full of finely-dressed draekon enjoying another spontaneous luncheon. The meal must have ended, and the guests were enjoying the wide outdoor space, filling it with conversation and flirtation. Females glided across the stone with uncanny grace, and males strutted with confidence and strength only they could pull off. I watched servers hurry among them, quick to replace empty flutes with freshly filled ones.

  The draekon hardly noticed. Some expressed gratitude to the human servants, but the majority acted like they didn’t even exist.

  How had I allowed myself to become so complacent?

  How did I become blind to the blatant inequality? Or, worse, when had I become okay with it?

  Those thoughts and similar ones plagued me as I crossed the courtyard and walked toward the north wing. I lowered my hood, needing to feel fresh air on my face before I confined myself to my room. I felt it when a set of eyes landed on me. The gaze brushed against my throat, making my hair stand on end.

  I looked up, my eyes dull as my troubles threatened to consume me. I met Prince Brion’s dark, brooding stare. He stood in a tall, open window on the third floor, looking down into the courtyard with a superior air.

  I saw the moment he registered my forlorn expression. His own hard gaze shifted. He almost looked concerned.

  That is one of the males I plan to betray.

  I looked away, ashamed of my guilt, and also ashamed of my hesitation. The draekon were evil. They’d taken over our continent and made us their slaves. They took away our right to choose how to live our lives.

  So why was I the one who felt like a monster?

  30

  I threw myself into work. Sleep eluded me and worries plagued me. The only time I was free of them was when I treated patients. So, I strived to spend every waking moment doing so.

  Master Errol noticed my invigorated dedication, and he praised me for it. I had the feeling his opinion would change if he knew the true reason behind my efforts. I doubt he’d like to be associated with a potential traitor.

  It had been a week since my conversation with Lin. I spent each day looking over my shoulder, waiting for Agent Leith to appear with a note from my brother or with questions about any information I might have gathered. But I hadn’t seen either of them since the tavern. I was beginning to feel anxious. I knew it was only a matter of time before one of them showed up, and I didn’t know what I would tell them when they did.

  “Come, Healer Amelissa,” Master Errol breezed into the infirmary and swiftly gathered an assortment of bandages and ointments. “We are expected at the barracks.”

>   “The barracks?” I tied the sling around my patient’s neck. The young woman had taken a nasty tumble down the stairs and dislocated her shoulder. A knot formed in my throat as I thought about Jane, wondering how her injury had healed. I imagined she was back to her busy self, keeping Jem on his toes.

  “Yes.” He brushed past me to retrieve clean compresses from the table next to me. He shoved them in his stuffed satchel. “There was a training accident. Many men have been burned. We are needed to assist in sterilization and wrapping before infection sets in.”

  I jumped to my feet and immediately began preparing my own bag. When both of us were supplied as much as possible, we rushed out of the castle.

  I’d adapted to Master Errol’s quick pace and easily kept up with him as we crossed the courtyard and exited the gates. Off in the distance, I saw black smoke billowing in the sky. Master Errol took off in that direction.

  The streets were crowded. Onlookers wanted to get a glimpse of the tragedy in their midst. Master Errol used a booming voice to clear a path. Some still lingered, and they were shoved to the side by the large, strong master healer.

  As we drew near, concern consumed me. The barracks were still aflame, though it looked like its structure had been worse moments ago. Black marks marred the stone where the fire had reached.

  “What happened?” I lifted a cloth to cover my mouth.

  “A draekon training exercise gone wrong.” Master Errol covered his own airway, saying no more.

  The space around the barracks was, thankfully, empty of people. Soldiers had managed to barricade them back. Master Errol and I entered a door off to the far right, stepping inside a building, which connected to the burning barracks. It was where they had moved all injured soldiers.

  I rushed to the first man I saw. Soot covered his face, and he was coughing forcefully. I placed a hand on his chest to force him to stand straight up. Pressing my ear to his chest, I was relieved to hear clear passageways. He’d suffered mild smoke inhalation but nothing dire. I instructed him to seek fresh air outside of the building, away from the smoke. He nodded and coughed his way out of the building. I moved on to the next soldier.

  Some men fared worse than others. Many had mild burns or bruises that I swiftly tended, while others had red and swollen skin that was even charred black. I forced back bile when I tended the more serious wounds. The sight and smell of blistering flesh did not sit well.

  One soldier’s pain-filled shouts stabbed me in the chest but I couldn’t stop. If I didn’t clean the wound, he might lose his injured limb or suffer the ultimate price and lose his life. Humans weren’t as fortunate as draekon; we weren’t immune to infections.

  Sweat and exhaustion pressed down on me but I kept working. The number of suffering men was great, and I couldn’t rest for a moment without hearing another soldier’s cry of agony. Determination set in, releasing a fresh dose of adrenaline through my bloodstream.

  Eventually, the hectic orders and cries of pain faded to the background. I heard nothing other than my own breathing. All I registered were the men around me and their damaged flesh. I ran out of fresh bandages. I tore my skirt to hold the sterile cotton in place, tying the brown fabric into a tight knot. It would do for now.

  “Amelissa.”

  I ripped away one man’s sleeve to examine the extent of the damage caused by the flames. His shoulder must have been hit by a burning object. I pressed gently against the forming bruise, relieved to see the bone wasn’t broken.

  “Amelissa!”

  Someone ripped my hand away. I whirled around, unbalanced.

  I focused on eyes which reminded me of Caldiri.

  I blinked. “Jasper?” Black smudges covered his face, but I knew it was him.

  He nodded. “Yes. Come quick. It’s Warren.”

  I followed without hesitation.

  Jasper ran through the makeshift infirmary towards the back of the building, leading to the interior of the barracks. I took care to not step on the men on the floor, but I was surprised to note the room was less crowded. The number of patients had dwindled as Master Errol and I treated each one and sent them on their way. Relief washed over me. No more men had been injured since our arrival. The tragedy’s end drew near.

  Jasper rounded a corner and halted. I nearly ran into his back. He placed a hand in the air, telling me to wait. He looked left, then right. He wasn’t sure which way to go.

  On cue, a shout bounced against the walls.

  “Warren! Hang on.” Jasper rushed forward, and I nearly tripped as I stumbled after him. I don’t know how he recognized Warren’s cry; it sounded more animal than human.

  A cracked door came into view. Jasper pushed it aside, and a plume of smoke rushed towards us. I raised my sleeve just in time to cover my mouth. I shouted a warning, but it was muffled. Jasper continued forward, entering the burning room. I had no choice but to follow.

  The smoke made my eyes water. I ducked low, barely able to see two feet in front of me. Fortunately, I picked up Jasper’s steps and trailed after them.

  He led me to a fallen beam with charred ends. Under the immense weight, Warren laid still.

  I dropped to my knees, reaching for his neck. A faint thump met my fingers. My hands were shaking. “He’s alive.” He must have just fainted after his last cry for help.

  Jasper lowered his hand and pointed at the beam. “I didn’t know if I should move him. The bone looks broken, and he is bleeding.”

  Keeping low, I scurried down to examine the injury. The bone was very much broken, and I saw the pool of blood Jasper mentioned. It was bright red.

  “Arterial blood.” I ran through my options. Either I moved Warren to escape the smoke and fire and risked him bleeding out, or I tried to make a tourniquet in the suffocating room, endangering all of our lives while also still running the risk of Warren bleeding to death.

  There was no easy option.

  Fortunately, Jasper made it for me. “I’ll lift the beam. You can tie off the leg.”

  It was as good a plan as any.

  I tore the upper seam of my sleeve. The fabric was elastic and would provide better pressure than my skirt. I slipped it down my arm and nodded to Jasper. “Ready.”

  He bent his knees, wrapping his hands against the rectangular beam. With a shout, he heaved the wood up and off Warren. Blood misted my face. It didn’t faze me. I quickly slid the fabric under the injured leg.

  Warren’s shin was in bad shape. I tied the sleeve around the lower part of his thigh, using all my strength to make it as tight as possible. I wiped sweat and blood from my brow and turned to Jasper, coughing. “We need to get him out of here.”

  With me securing the injured leg, Jasper lifted the young man under his shoulders and lower back. Together, we carried him the way we came. Even though most of the burden fell on Jasper, my limbs quivered under Warren’s weight. I tried to steady them, but my fatigue was winning out. I forced myself to not cough. I didn’t want to further disturb the injury. My lungs itched, yearning for relief.

  The halls seemed miles long. I vaguely noticed the glass weapon cases against the walls. Even through the smoke, I assumed we were in a training wing of the barracks. I worried it was the site of the initial fire, and about how long Warren had been exposed to the suffocating air.

  At last we arrived back in the makeshift infirmary. The air was still cloudy, but it felt as soothing as water from a cool stream as I inhaled over and over again.

  Jasper and I lowered Warren to the ground. I returned my attention to his injury, pleased to see blood had slowed.

  I positioned Warren’s leg in a more accessible position. I thanked the gods he wasn’t awake to feel the full extent of the pain.

  “Amelissa! What has happened?”

  “Master Errol,” I choked out, still affected by the smoke. “This man…” Cough. “He’s lost a lot of blood… ” Cough. “And he’s breathed in smoke. We need to stabilize the limb and get him fresh air.”

  The
draekon lowered himself and observed the injury. He felt for Warren’s pulse. Slowly, he pulled his hand away and turned to me.

  His dark eyes filled with sympathy. “He is gone, Amelissa.”

  He didn’t know what he was saying. I leaned forward and tried to find Warren’s pulse.

  Nothing.

  No.

  I wouldn’t let it happen.

  I moved and breathed my smoky, contaminated breath into Warren’s mouth, pinching his nose. I repeated the action two more times and then placed my hands on his chest and began compressions.

  Master Errol didn’t try to stop me. He let me continue my treatment, but I could feel the weight of his pity land on my shoulders.

  “He’s just weak,” I said to no one in particular, pushing against his firm chest. “He will be fine. It’s going to be okay.”

  Push once, twice, three times. Three breaths. Push again.

  I continued on. I didn’t consider resting. He needed air. That’s all. Warren would breathe, and he would be fine.

  “Amelissa.” It was Jasper. He sounded broken.

  No.

  I wouldn’t stop. I refused to stop. Warren would be fine. He had to be fine.

  A strong hand wrapped around my arm. “Amelissa,” Jasper’s tone was sharper. “Enough. Stop… He’s gone.”

  I broken sob escaped my lips. I shook my head. I couldn’t let it end this way.

  Having enough, Master Errol and Jasper worked together to force me back from Warren’s body.

  I tried to fight them. I shoved and pushed and swung my arms around. But I was too exhausted. They won.

  I collapsed back on the ground, leaning against Jasper as he knelt behind me. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders as the tears came.

  “N-o.” I croaked, holding my head in my hands.

  Not Warren. Anyone but Warren.

  He was too young, too full of life. I’d thought his recruitment had been a death sentence, but he’d made the most of his life in Draek. He saved his money. He was going to buy a house. Lorie was going to live there.