Page 18 of The Flame

I truly wanted to know. “Do you approve of the reform? Or do you think the future of mankind is doomed if we diverge from the confines of council rule?”

His brow creased deeper. “I’ve never aspired to politics and I would never presume to predict the best path forward. I’m a simple man.”

That wasn’t altogether true. “You manage the Utilities Infrastructure for Capra.”

“And do you know why I’m so good at that?” he said. “It requires logic and organization. If pipes degrade, it’s a matter of securing the materials and planning the work. Politics is abstract, an ideology to hold us together while we wait for our world to fix itself.”

“But surely you must care about who’s in charge?”

“With regards to the future of mankind?” He shrugged. “Some days I’m not sure it makes much difference. The fate of the human race lies in the hands of our scientists or our God, orperhaps both, but not in the men—or women—who govern this town.”

His words didn’t match the reserved, almost defeated, look in his eyes.

I didn’t understand. “You’re not angry with Mom for belonging to a secret organization all these years? You’re not disappointed in me?”

He scratched at his jaw, watching me, not answering.

“You’re obviously not happy about something,” I pointed out.

“The only job I’ve ever really cared about is providing for my family and keeping them safe. That meant keeping my head down, and ensuring you and your mother never publicly defied the rules of society or drew unwanted attention. Clearly, I failed.”

“You don’t have to worry about that anymore,” I said. “That’s what the Sisters of Capra are all about.”

“Georga, these Sisters of Capra have made you their figurehead.”

“Hah,” I scoffed. “Trust me, I’m not their figurehead.”

“No, you’re their pawn,” he said, his voice filled with deep-seated concern. He wasn’t mocking me. “But you’re also their public face. If there’s any retaliation, it will be aimed at you. This is Capra, my dear child. If you push your head above the ground, you are not safe.”

If the only way to remain safe was to remain invisible, then I’d rather be dead. I didn’t say that, though. My father wasn’t angry. He wasn’t disappointed. He was worried, and he blamed himself for any danger I might have put myself in.

“Geneva is slowly and steadily edging me out of the limelight.” As I spoke, I realized it would become the absolute truth.

She’d eagerly threatened to stamp me out if I became too demanding. She wouldn’t risk keeping my profile high. As soon as the dust settled, she’d started fading me out.

I leaned forward, offering my father a smile I wasn’t feeling. “Geneva is our leader and our figurehead, and it won’t be long before she makes sure everyone forgets about me.”

My father sighed, unimpressed with my reassurances. “Do you have any idea why last night’s coup went so smoothly? Why mostly everyone is back at work today, supporting the Sisters of Capra instead of protesting on the streets and causing mayhem?”

“Most of them are like you and don’t care who’s actually running Capra?” I stabbed a guess.

“Many of the men are like me, and like me, they’re appalled at their own lethargy,” he said. “We placed our trust in a higher power, the council, and blinded ourselves to the reality. We didn’t agree with the restrictions placed on our women, but at least they were safe. They were cared for.”

“Except when they weren’t,” I said heatedly.

“Except when they weren’t,” he agreed gruffly. “We all thought we were doing okay, doing the best we could. What morecouldwe do? It took a young girl with no power, authority, higher learning or protection on her side to show us the truth. You had the courage to push through our boundaries, climb our walls and venture into the unknown to discover what lay beyond. Then you came back and defied the powers that be to make that truth known.”

The pride in his voice floored me. A thick block of emotion stuck in my throat.

“Whether you meant it to be or not, you are the hero of this story,” he said.

“I’m not the hero,” I said. “Geneva put me on those screens without my knowledge or consent. If she’d asked, I wouldn’t have agreed. I’m not that brave.”

“I’m not so sure about that, but telling your story is only one part. You lived that story and brought home the truths.” Thepride fell out of his voice, replaced with that heavy concern. “Heroes are not easily erased, Georga. You’ll be remembered long after your face disappears from our screens. And heroes make easy targets. If you want to undermine a movement, the first step is to take down their hero.”

“I’m not in any danger.”

“So long as there’s anyone out there capable of restoring the council, you’re in danger.”

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