Page 56 of Wrath

She pulls her hand from mine. “After what they did to me?”

“And me,” I add, and she recoils. “Father chucked me in there too, as punishment, I guess.”

“At least you made friends with them,” she spits.

“You don’t understand,” I hiss. “Did you know they’re taken from out there?” I ask, pointing to the wall surrounding the village. “They’re just little boys when they’re stolen and brought here. And then they’re forced to fight, and they have teachings rammed down their throats about our beliefs, or at least theirs,” I tell her, looking back up the hill at the four looming houses. “They force-feed them pills and make them watch things, explicit things, Summer, and then they send them into the ceremonies all riled up. They don’t know any different.”

She knots the hem of her dress around her finger. “It all feels such a mess,” she whispers.

“I know,” I agree, “which is why we need a plan.”

She nods eagerly. “Okay, any idea what’s beyond that wall?”

I shake my head. “Not exactly, but I know people who lived out there before. If we can just make it out, we can find more help.”

“We’ll never get past the guards. They man the gate twenty-four-seven.”

“The caves lead out,” I say in a low whisper. “We just need to find a way.”

“If there’s a way out, why hasn’t anyone ever left?”

“How do we know they haven’t?” I ask. “I’ve got an idea, but I don’t know how it will work out. I’m winning Silas over.”

She shakes her head. “No. It’s not worth it. He could have you killed.”

“Not if he loves me,” I say with confidence. “Just trust me. Maybe he has a map of the caves or something. How else do they know where to go? If he lets his guard down, I can look in his office.”

“Wynter, it’s not going to be that easy.”

“Trust me,” I say, standing.

“I have a dinner with Silas tonight. Are you going to be there?” she asks. I shrug. “I really hope you are.”

Silas is waiting on the porch when I return. He stands, greeting me with a kiss on each cheek. “How was Summer?”

“Nervous,” I say. “You didn’t mention she is to marry Adam.”

He looks away, slipping his hand in mine and leading me inside. We go into his office, a place he doesn’t allow anyone. “If you haven’t noticed, there’re not a lot of options for marriage amongst the four families.”

“It wasn’t well thought out,” I point out.

“On the contrary, it was my idea to allow the forefathers to have more than one wife to stop this from happening again.” He takes my hand and smiles. “Did you enjoy time with your sister?” I nod. “We’re having dinner with her this evening. I would like you to be there too.”

“Whatever you think is best,” I reply.

I descend the stairs after spending an hour getting ready. I’ve never had to worry about having my hair or makeup just right, and even choosing an outfit is complicated these days.

Silas waits for me at the foot of the stairs with his right arm hooked out for me to take. Ava appears from the kitchen and takes his left arm. He waits a beat before saying, “Tonight is important. I do not want any problems or tension. You will get along and put on a show. Anyone who cannot follow my orders will face severe punishment.”

“Of course,” I reply.

Ava nods, and he waits, glaring straight ahead until she answers properly with a defeated, “Yes.”

Satisfied, he glides through the hall towards the living room. The guard opens two large doors, and we enter like royalty. For a second, I understand why Silas and the other three fathers are addicted to the power.

My step falters when my father turns to face us with my mother on one arm and Annastasia on the other, his fake smile wide. My mother’s smile is tight. She’s had her hair curled to perfection, and her lipstick’s brighter than the red dress Ava chose to wear. I went for a subtle navy blue, and I notice Silas is wearing a matching tie. It’s almost like we’re in sync without meaning to be.

He shakes hands with my father, who moves to kiss Ava on the cheek. My mother follows suit and then Summer appears from behind her and does the same. Annastasia lingers longer on Silas than necessary.

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