Page 17 of Twisted Truths
He shushes me. “Calm down, Nash. Christ, you can’t make threats like that in front of the entire town.”
“Whatever,” I snap, shoving him away from me. “I’m walking home. See you later.”
Levi shakes his head as he watches me stalk away. “If he hurt her, we’ll make him pay,” he calls after me. “But there’s a right way to go about it, Nash. Don’t do anything reckless.”
I wave a hand over my head as I push my way out the back exit. The cool air does nothing to soothe the blazing fire inside me.
After a quick stretch, I take off at a jog, heading in the opposite direction of Levi and Paige’s house. I need some time to cool down.
Chapter Seven
HADLEY
Aknock raps against the cabin door. I share a look with Gianna—no one should be knocking this early on a Sunday morning—and we climb out of our beds to rush over to our bedroom door, listening as Ascendant Sierra answers.
The murmured voices are too low to make out, and Gianna’s hand moves to the handle. I shake my head, scared of getting caught, but she only motions for me to stay quiet.
As Gianna eases the door open a couple of inches, we spot Brielle and Samantha hiding behind their door across the hall. Gabriel’s voice drifts down the hall, and my eyes widen. The guardians have never visited our cabin; they usually send messages via the sentinels.
Thoughts of my run in with Gabriel two days ago flash through my mind, causing my heart to race. Surely, he doesn’t know. I’m so focused on the possibility of being found out, I miss what he says.
“Hadley’s duties don’t extend to the market.” Ascendant Sierra’s response is calm but firm. “She’s responsible for other tasks today.”
“I’llsend you a replacement,” Gabriel insists. “I require Hadley’s presence in town.”
Gianna tenses beside me, her hand finding mine with an encouraging squeeze. Rumours are becoming rampant that with his last Chosen leaving the commune, the next Awakening will be Gabriel’s, and considering my twenty-first birthday is in three days, this does not bode well for me.
“You know the roles are defined for a reason, Gabriel. It helps to keep the order.”
“Do I need to remind you of your place, Ascendent?”
There’s a pause before Sierra’s clipped response. “No, Guardian.”
“You will have Hadley ready for me in ten minutes.”
“Yes, Guardian.”
“Good. I will not be kept waiting.” Heavy footsteps sound across the floorboards, and the front door creaks open. “Ascendent Sierra?”
“Yes, Guardian?” Her voice is wary.
“Do not question my requests again.”
I flinch as the front door slams shut.
Brielle and Samantha close their door softly as the slight creak of Sierra’s footsteps head in our direction. Gianna and I scramble back to our beds just as she pushes open our door.
“Hadley, you are joining the market crew this morning,” she announces in a harsh tone that leaves no room for argument. The words hang in the air, and I feel the weight of them pressing down on me. “Get ready! Guardian Gabriel doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
Swallowing my fear, I nod, but Sierra doesn’t miss the flicker of hesitation in my eyes.
“Move,” she snaps. “I will not be punished for your insolence.”
Without another word, she turns and leaves.
“Hurry,” Gianna hisses, gripping my arm and pulling me over to our shared wardrobe.
She pulls my nightgown over my head, and my antique silver locket falls to the ground, snapping me out of my stupor.
