Page 100 of Ashes of Gold
“That’s all rubbish now, isn’t it? Dwegini, Zruki. It’s like it never mattered. Now it’s just us and them.” He grunts, apparently pushing something heavy. My table moves and I resist the urge to steady myself, trying to let myself rock side to side as if I’m unconscious. The lights dim a moment before glowing brighter. They’re moving me… across the room. But why? Maybe I can get close to the door, break the straps holding me down, then bust out of here. I’d peek but it’s too risky.
“Not for long. Those loyal to the true leader of the Ghizon won’t falter. Have some faith. We’ll make this place what it was.”
The other guy says nothing and continues to work in silence. I strainto hear, even though their conversation hovers right over me.
“How’s Lella doing, news of the baby and everything?”
“It’s good. She’s doing what she can. Never thought we’d be bringing a baby into a world like this, you know?”
“We got a good chance here though, to prove ourselves. He’s giving everyone a double take. He’s got to. You know what that means?”
The other man grunts, feigning curiosity.
“Means it’s an opportunity to rise in the ranks. Get close to the big guy.”
The other lets silence hang between them.
“Some of his own Patrol turned on him, did you know? Razing the streets of the City, rebelling against the man that gave them everything. Can you believe it?”
“It’s not that black and white, Huff.”
“Is for me.”
They don’t speak again until my table moves back through a moment of darkness. Something clamps and my arms feel heavier. I hold my breath in my chest and ease an eyelid open. A spider-looking contraption is attached to my golden arms with pinchers at the end. They set it on my arm where the cuff meets my skin.
I gasp.
Th-they’re trying to pry off my cuffs!
“She’s awake!”
Something stings my neck. Sleep chases me, but I’m too weak to run.
The table is cold at my back. I immediately recognize the lab’s walls around me. Light hangs overhead and Jhamal’s face comes into view, hovering above me. I blink. He’s slick with sweat.
“Jelani, can you hear me?” He’s over me, his armor flecked with red.
“I can,” I try to say, but nothing comes out.
He pulls up the edge of my shirt, exposing my bare shoulder; cool air grazes my skin. He moves a needle with a tail of thread back and forth, in and out of view.
“Just hold still a bit longer.” He tears something with his teeth. The ceiling thunders above us and he cuts a glance over his shoulder to the door, worry dug into his brow.
“Thank you,” I mutter. More words rush through my mind, but none makes it to my lips. Everything’s foggy. The door rattles on its hinges under someone’s fist, and I hear it like a thunderstorm in my head. Jhamal’s hands move faster. He pants and I want to grab him, tell him it’s going to be okay. Somehow. I don’t like seeing him like this. Scared. But every time I glimpse his face, I see bloody armor on the ground. My pulse spikes, my breath quickening. What have I done?!
I try to muster words; panic clenches my throat. The smell of the smoke, the wails and cries from Yiyo.
“Jelani? Can you hear me?”
“Hurry up!” a voice says from the corner.
“I’m hurrying,” Jhamal says. “She has to live if this is going to work.”
“They are coming.” The guard glances over his shoulder.
“Jhamal?” Finally, words come out. “I… I… Yiyo, the battle. The smoke. What have I done!?”
“Sssh! They will hear you.” He pulls at the straps holding me down.
