Page 91 of Blue Arrow Island
With a cringe, I nod.
“Well, I don’t know if this will be good news or bad news, but aromium’s effects end immediately upon deactivation. If you’re feeling an attraction to someone, I think it’s because you’re genuinely attracted to them.” A laugh bubbles out of her. “Oh, honey. Your expression. I promise it will all be okay. I went through the same thing when I fell for an annoyingly quietintrovert who cracks her knuckles individually every night in bed.”
My lips quirk up. “Nova.”
“She’s grumpy, I’m sunshine. She looks before she leaps, and I guess that’s probably good for me. Not to mention that Ican’tnot smile when we’re together. I’ve tried. Can’t do it.”
“I love that,” I murmur.
“This place is hard. Having someone special really helps. Whether it’s romantic or just a great friend.”
This is definitely not good news for me. I was convinced I’m too rational to get butterflies when Marcus is close, and to fantasize about him on top of me, scowl and all.
“And you’re positive?” I ask. “Because this person I’m...you know, feeling this way for, he’s not my type.”
“Could it be situational?”
I frown. “You mean like I’m only attracted to him because we’re on this island?”
“Or,” she says gently, “because he was swift and certain with justice to someone who wronged you?”
I laugh and bury my head in my hands. Awesome. Now she knows it’s Marcus. I must be completely transparent.
“That’s definitely not it. I’m actually pretty angry at him for treating me like a criminal and making me stay locked up with Vance every night. And I’m not celebrating what happened to Vance.”
A few seconds of silence pass before she speaks again. “One reason I think Marcus is an effective leader here is that he doesn’t celebrate it, either. I was opposed to his black-and-white approach to punishment here, but I’ve changed my mind.”
“Why?”
She sighs softly, her expression troubled. “We tried confinement. Most of the time, people were bitter about it and that led to even worse offenses. It’s easy to forget that manyof the people sent here really are violent criminals. Some are good people who only stole to feed their dying families or used birth control. But some...some people here are predators and murderers. Marcus’s system is the best way to keep the good people safe and deter the others.”
A soft knock sounds on her office door. She gets up to answer it.
“Henry’s waiting to have his stitches removed,” a male voice says.
She nods. “I’ll be right in.”
I stand up from my seat, taking one more look around her office. “I’ll let you get back to work.”
She walks me back the way we came, her voice low so the people passing can’t hear her.
“Marcus is worth getting to know. I think you’ll find there’s more to him than meets the eye.” She glances at me, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Though what meets the eye is quite nice, too.”
Our eyes meet and I can’t help smiling back. I sniff, pretending to be unbothered. “I hadn’t really noticed.”
Her grin widens. “You’re lovely, Briar. I hope you’ll come see me again soon.”
The door to the underground area is opening. It’s like a massive metal garage door, chains pulling it up for someone to enter.
It’s Niran, a much smaller man limping in beside him.
Ellison leans over and whispers to me. “Everything said in my office is confidential.”
“Good.”
She smiles again and locks eyes with me. “Get to know him. Trust me.”
“Man versus bees,” Niran says as the two men approach. “I think the bees had the upper hand. Or ... wing, I guess?”
