The Fortunates (Unfortunate #2) - Skyla Madi Page 0,68

thick, healthy branches of the tree. He couldn’t remember the last time he relaxed under a tree—or if he even did at all. It was…serene.

Much to his surprise, Anna began to hum a light, lovely tune. It wasn’t a song he’d heard before and as it floated into his ears, it ripped him open from the inside out, exposing all of his nerves and all of his emotions. How could a single hum be so moving?

“The song,” he interrupted, stopping her hum. “Where’d you hear it?”

Anna toyed with his hair, twisting strands between her fingers. “It’s the hymn they hum to the babies and young children in the camps. There are no words…just the melody.”

“Does it have a title?”

She hums in thought. “No. I suppose it doesn’t.”

“It’s beautiful.” Kade closed his eyes.

She continued to hum. He wasn’t lying when he said it was beautiful. His ears had never received such a spectacular sound. It was solemn, heartbreaking, and uplifting all at once.

Much to Kaden’s dismay, he found himself drifting into his own head, falling farther from reality and farther into dreamland. He didn’t want to sleep. He wanted to keep his eyes on his wife twenty-four seven, but the lower she hummed, the deeper he fell. Before he completely dropped off the edge into the abyss of his mind, he saw Vince. Kade flinched at his smile.

How could he do it?

Chapter Nineteen

Anna

(Four Days Later)

“Anna?”

“Hm?” I snap my head to the side, pulling my attention from the darkening line of trees on the horizon to Portia, who stands at the wardrobe holding up two dresses.

I no longer go by Nine and that’s going to take some getting used to.

“I said the blue dress will match your skin tone.” Portia holds the blue, single shoulder dress higher than the red one. “And it has gold adornments to match your wedding ring.”

I glance down at my hand. Anna Sario. I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to that. John verified our wedding without protest.

To be honest, I don’t want to get dressed. I don’t want to plaster on a fake smile and pretend that everything is okay. It’s not. I want to stay in bed. I want to watch the fire and keep on learning how to shoot a gun. Unfortunately, Kade and Oliver have taken it upon themselves to hold a Secret Ribbon meeting here tonight right under the nose of the people we’re going to gun down in the name of equality. They think it’s clever. I think it’s stupid.

As far as I know, most of the team are downstairs in the gentleman’s lounge playing a game of Empire, the popular Fortunate board game for the men that become uninterested in the gossip their wives drivel. The Unfortunates serving the Fortunates in the room are all a part of the Ribbon. Those who are left out of the gathering will be briefed by attending Unfortunates afterwards. It’s not fail-proof but it the best we can do on short notice. Kade hasn’t had the time to develop his communications system. He’s too busy following me around and avoiding Vince like the plague. I don’t blame him. The very thought of Vince sends him into a fit of rage that seems to be getting worse by the day.

I smile at Portia, who returns it, exposing her white teeth. A few days ago, Kade told her all about the Secret Ribbon. At first she was hesitant, thinking we were trying to set her up for something. When she realised we were serious, she could barely contain her excitement. The way her golden eyes lit up like the sun and her plump lips curved into a breathtaking smile warmed my heart. Like me, she had simple dreams. She was looking forward to having a nap in the middle of the day and lying under the hot sun. She wanted to run and jump and swim and climb. Like an excited child, she clasped her hands in front of her chest and swore that she’d help us no matter what. Just like that she became our right hand lady. Kade and I trust her more than we trust anyone besides each other.

“The red dress is yours,” I tell her. “When we win, we’re coming back for it.”

She beams. “I want it in every colour.”

Chuckling, I cross the room in my long white nighty and I lock the door. Kade had to go downstairs to see John and Oliver. Not wanting to leave me by