Defy the Sun (Beware the Night #2) - Jessika Fleck Page 0,23
before me. She slaps a paper on the floor between us. It’s a Night posting. It reads: Beware the Settlings, and there’s a print of the Moon shining down on the beach. The Lunalette’s there, a golden star painted across her heart. She stands over what appears to be an Imperi soldier, and she wields a sword over her head.
No doubt what she plans to do with it.
I’m shaking my head. “I don’t know about this.” When I glance up from the posting at her eyes, they’re inexplicably full of tears. Goose bumps cast over my arms and not from the constant damp cold down here. “Settlings? What does this mean?”
“I was hoping you’d tell me.”
“Imi, I promise you, I don’t know anything about this. Are you sure this isn’t the Imperi? You probably don’t realize it, but they’ve been doing things like this for years … Blaming their crimes on the Night.” But by her expression, I know now isn’t the time to point fingers.
“Unless the Imperi is executing its own soldiers, then no.”
I wouldn’t put it past them, but … “What?”
“This posting was found by a couple of guards on their rounds last night.” Her eyes meet mine. “It was attached to the collar of a dead Imperi soldier’s uniform. At least a hundred more papers covered the area around him. He and one other were left in the piazza outside the market.”
“But … how…?”
“Sword through the heart.”
It’s not what I mean, but the image turns my insides over.
“I can’t believe it. I … I don’t know what to say. This isn’t the Night I know. They fight, yes. They’ll go to battle for what they believe in, but underhanded tactics like this? Executions? That’s Imperi business.” She gazes over her lamp at me, and I can tell she’s conflicted. She wants to believe I’m the same person she met last night, but that version is at odds with the one she’s been taught to fear. The evil traitor who might just sit before her. “Did you … know them?” I tentatively ask. If one of them is her sister, I’ll never forgive myself or anyone down in the Lower again.
Never.
“Not really … I mean, sort of.” Oh, thank the Sun and Moon both. “One is Alexander Glass.” The name doesn’t ring a bell, but I nod slowly, giving her my full attention. “The other is Arlen Rivera.”
I know the moment all blood drains from my face that I must be white as ice because Imi only stares. Says, “Are you all right?” Not consciously meaning to, I’m shaking my head. “Veda?” she whispers.
“Arlen’s … dead?”
“Afraid so.” She leans forward so I’ve no choice but to stare into her eyes. They’re deep brown, a golden flicker within them reflecting the flame of her lamp. “Veda!” she snaps, and I jump. “We must be honest with one another if this is ever going to work. I’m going to ask you once.” I nod. “Did you know about this?” She slams her hand on the posting.
Gently, feather light, I place my hand on top of hers. “I’ve told you a lot that goes against everything you know, and I understand how hard it is to believe my words much less give me your trust. But, Imi, I swear to you, I did not know anything about this.” I’m still in shock. I cannot believe the Sindaco would do such a thing, that the Night would support it. “Arlen was…” I hate how hard it is for me to think of something to say about Arlen that isn’t how horrible he was, but that’s not what’s important right now. “I mean, we weren’t great friends, but we grew up together. He and Nico and me…” At Nico her eyes dart to mine. “Well, Nico and I were—are—close friends, and much of the time we were together, Arlen wasn’t far behind.” I pause to breathe, to try to process what she’s told me. “He wasn’t kind, but, Imi, never in a million years would I wish him to be hurt in such a brutal, senseless way.”
I realize my hand is still over hers and slowly I pull it away.
Give her a minute as she stays silent.
As I wait, my mind moves to Nico, because if the Sindaco and the rest of the Night are down there executing Imperi soldiers, wouldn’t Nico be the prized kill?
I’m about to say this when Imi gasps, grips my hand back in hers, and jerks me forward.