Page 42 of Elysian

Finishing my bath, I pulled the plug to drain the water and stood. Hester held open a towel for me. She kept her gaze averted, which I appreciated, then dried my back. My shoulders sloped down. With every move, it was as if my limbs were weighted. And it only worsened.

“We need to get you back before the numbness fades,” she whispered, leaning a bit too close.

“What are you doing?”

Was Hester sniffing me?

“You smell . . .”

“Like soap I hope,” I mumbled.

“Well, yes, but also, I do not know what it is, but . . .”

She trailed off again, and her nose touched my shoulder. I stiffened, a chill running through me.

“I am sorry,” she exclaimed, straightening.

“It must have something to do with the Awakening.”

A red tint covered her cheeks. “Here,” she mumbled, stretching the hole of the frock to make it easier to don. I slid my hands in and tugged it down as she wound the strings to the front to tie them. “I will see about bringing you bloomers.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, flushing myself. She finished tying the front of my frock, and I slid my feet into the slippers.

“Amara . . .” she began, wringing her hands together. She kept her face turned away from me.

“What is it?”

“For the banquet tomorrow,” she whispered, her attention dropping to the floor. “I doubt I will be able to get the effigy.” She kept glancing away, wringing her hands.

“While the council feels the effect of the poison, your ability will be a key part in the escape⁠—”

“No.” She shook her head, face drawn. “There will be more officers, and I do not know who will have the effigy. My gift has limits. I can only use it once in a dawnlight rotation, and what if to escape, I need to use my gift?” She cut off with a choked gasp. “I-I cannot. They will kill me.”

“They will not let you leave here with the knowledge you have.”

Those were all the words that I could muster in convincing her. I did not want to force her despite it being a vital piece. I would pivot my plan. I could attempt to take the effigy with the blade in my shoe if she could not muster to stifle the fear. My mind raced with panic, but I did my best to calm my pounding heart.

Indecision flickered across her expression. I understood her fear, but they would let none of us survive. Nothing came out upon opening my mouth.

“But I know, either we die trying to get out, or we die when our use has been satisfied,” she whispered.

Exactly that.

Hester’s eyes squeezed tight, and she finally nodded. I shuffled over to the exit with her assistance. As soon as we opened it, the discussion ceased.

It was definitely an argument. Officer Brandt’s face was flushed red, and his mouth formed a thin line. Egan nodded in a quick jerk.

“Would you both give us a moment?” he said to the officer, then looked pointedly at Hester.

“You will have to keep her upright,” Hester warned.

Egan slid in beside me, hand on my waist. She retreated, shocked. Egan clasped my hand while keeping his other arm around me. His nose grazed my temple.

“I heard of your Awakening as soon as I returned from the North. How has it been?”

I swayed toward him, holding his hand harder.

“Wonderful,” I mumbled sarcastically.