Page 76 of The Flame

They were calling for the flame, but it was their bravery, their resilience, the power of their voices that pulsed throughout the square.

My gaze went over his shoulder, to the pillared entrance of the Foundation building, to the guards stationed by the arched doors. “Geneva’s inside there. Watching. The people of Capra have spoken. I want to make sure she listens.”

Roman considered that, then gave a slow nod.

We changed direction, and the crowd at our back parted, the chant following as we made our way across the plaza to the Foundation Hall. Daniel stayed with us, but Jessie and Lisa melted into the crowd.

Three guards blocked the entrance, two women and a man, armed with rifles and severe expressions. This was Geneva’s countermeasure, to throw open the armory and hand out weapons.

“Georga West.” The woman stepped forward, her rifle cocked. “I have orders to bring you in.”

Roman shoved me behind him. “She’s also the flame. Do you hear that?” He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. “You’ll have a blood bath on your hands.”

“I’m coming in anyway,” I said, stepping out from around Roman. “Take me to Geneva.”

The woman’s gaze bounced between me and Roman and the crowd, and her strutting confidence wavered.

“Just you,” she said, nudging at me with the barrel of the rifle.

Roman didn’t even bother acknowledging that. A minute later, Daniel, Roman and I were being led up the stairway to Geneva’s corner office on the top floor.

We didn’t have to knock. Her door stood open, as if she’d been expecting us. Although, maybe not.

She was seated at her desk, a look of surprise crossing her face before it hardened. She stood abruptly and came around thedesk. Her gaze swept across me and Daniel, flicked to Roman, then landed on me again with contempt. “What have you done?”

I smiled at her. I wasn’t feeling it, my stomach cramped with nerves, but I refused to show an ounce of weakness. “Look out your window, Geneva, there’s your answer. The people of Capra have made their stand.”

The look in her eyes turned brittle. “What do you want?”

“This isn’t about whatIwant or about whatyouwant,” I said. “Are you willing to talk?”

She wasn’t, that was clear in the mutiny set into her expression, but she didn’t have a choice.

Roman stopped me at the threshold. “I’m not here in any official capacity, but I’m still a warden. I can’t be part of a political strategy meeting.”

Wardens remained impartial to town business, always. “I understand.”

“I’ll be right here, if she gives you any trouble.” He ushered Daniel and me inside and closed the door, cutting himself off from any discussions within the room.

Geneva went to stand by the window, staring out over the pavilion. “I underestimated you. But out of everything you’ve done…” She turned to stab a look at Daniel “…this disappoints the most.” Her gaze moved on to me. “Daniel Edgar may be your friend, but council runs in his blood and it is thick. His allegiance will always lie with them.”

“My allegiance lies with Capra,” he said stiffly.

She ignored him, her gaze pricking me. “I don’t know what he filled your head with, but he will take back everything we worked to achieve. Is that really what you want?”

“You still don’t get it.” I stepped deeper into the room, shaking my head at her. “This isn’t about what I want. It never was. It’s about what the people of Capra want.”

Her brow arched with impertinence. “The people of Capra want the Sisterhood. We speak for them. We stand for them. They were perfectly content with the reforms we were bringing about, until you confused them.”

“Maybe that’s true,” I said. “Maybe they do want the Sisters of Capra.”

She looked astounded, then suspicious.

I shrugged. “Let’s ask them.”

“Ah, I see.” She huffed out a dry laugh and crossed to her desk, where she picked up her copy of the newsletter and read, “We had the council. Now we have the Sisters of Capra. The old world leaders were elected by the people…”

She peered at me. “What if they choose the council? What if we’re returned to the dark days?”

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