A Violet Fire (Vampires in Avignon #1) - Kelsey Quick Page 0,42

the trough on my hand.

“What was that?” Katarii asks.

“What was what?” Savvy replies.

“Those words. They were words, right?”

“You’ve heard us speak French, before,” Savvy chuckles.

“Is that what it’s called?”

“Yes, it’s my native language,” I interject for Savvy, none too enthusiastically. “From my hometown in France.”

Katarii’s mouth drops. “You mean… a free-roaming colony? I didn’t know human colonies still existed!”

I nod, and softly reply, “Who knows, mine could have been the last one.”

I’m sure she can see by my face that I have no interest in discussing the topic further so she changes course. “Will you teach me French? I’d love to be in on the jokes, too.”

“Of course!” Savvy squeals before I even have a chance to think through the question. She’s excited to include others, as usual. I bite my tongue as she back pedals. “Well, if Wavorly is okay with it. It’s really her language to share after all.”

They both look to me.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I lie, aching as a piece of my exclusive friendship with Savvy cracks beneath the pressure of social courtesy. Katarii might be a great friend if I give it a chance, but then again, she might have a knack for sabotaging nice things like so many others. I shrug.

If she takes Savvy from me, that’s less guilt for me to feel when I escape.

As the thought crosses my brain, I instantly regret it. My emotions go numb and the walls lift around my heart. I can’t believe I just thought that. Why would I think that? I’m too sensitive. Too cynical.

Besides, Savvy won’t ever leave me, I think to myself, trying to choke the root of a deeply planted, blossoming fear. If she does, then that’s life, I guess.

✽✽✽

At the chime of the second hour, we filter into the cafeteria hall to wait in line for dinner’s meal tags. The new supply units are last, the oldest first. So Anaya is the first to move through the line, standing as if she owns the world. I guess she might as well own ours. In such a small world beneath ground, it’s like a miniature Cain. A couple rule the top and control the rest with just enough leverage to keep the others subdued, no matter the injustice.

She gives me a side glance and grimaces. I have words for her that I one day hope I get to say. Savvy is ahead of me, complaining about how much her arms hurt from stirring the bucket of synthetics, while Katarii comments on the true chore of listening to some other supply unit cough up mucus all day. We talk away the hearty smells and impatience for food until finally, Savvy reaches the front of the meal tag line. She holds out her time stamps reluctantly. I observe as the old female vampire analyzes it with a scowl.

“I’m afraid you need at least a quarter night of work to receive any portion,” she explains, handing back the stamps “Maybe tomorrow.”

Savvy’s bright features sullen somewhat, leading me to step in.

“Wait. You mean she can’t eat today? Erm… madam?” I ask, facing the large woman.

“That’s right. She only worked an eighth. They can count toward her ration tags tomorrow, but she will not be awarded any today,” she proclaims with a voice growing more menacing. “Any other questions?”

I frown, about ready to give this lady a piece of my mind before Savvy pulls on my sleeve, whispering, “Don’t do anything stupid, Wave. You’re on thin ice already.”

Suddenly I remember Zein’s threat, and I shut my mouth. Savvy continues, “And she’s right, I worked very little today. I understand the system. It’s my fault.”

Savvy smiles before leaving the line to go find a spot for the three of us to sit. The compact dining hall is lined with concrete slabs for tables and carved stones for chairs, many of them empty. I turn to Katarii who trades her full night worked for half a meal tag.

“Katarii, why didn’t Savvy work with you the whole time?” I ask.

She studies me for a moment, returning her thoughtful gaze to her time stamps and half a meal tag. “Well, she didn’t want me to say anything but… she had been so worried about you that she begged Emi to find answers. She called Gemini and he admitted that you were recovering in the infirmary. And I suppose he escorted her there and she waited around for as long as she could.”

My heart clenches in my chest. I pull the five full ration