The Lotus Effect (Rise Of The Ardent) by Bridget Ladd Read Free Book Online Page B

scowled, drawing my hand away, not understanding why my feeble brain decided to reminisce over the clouds and myfavorite linens of all things—when I had, barely an hour ago, signed my life away. Forfeited it to meet a very cruel and violent end.
    I sighed and stared at the locket necklace that stretched languidly across the surface of my nightstand. It reminded me of the Blacksmith, Xander, and of the courage it had given me. I hadn’t yet decided what I was going to do with it. To my surprise, the Council had not come for it either. I’m sure they were too preoccupied discussing the best ways of disposing of me instead.
    I sighed again, too tired and worn out from the day to think about the repercussions of keeping this trinket. Suddenly, a thought came to mind. I pushed myself to my feet, deciding it would be safest if it was hidden with my journal—if the journal could remain hidden all of these years, so too would the necklace.
    After securing both, I lay back against the bed. I had two days before the Drawing took place. Two days of waiting and watching, hoping I was still welcome in the Estate until that day arrived. Should I leave on my own and try to find suitable shelter until the Drawing began? I was torn between what I should do, and what was the easiest thing to do. Currently, I was choosing the easiest choice as I lay in my own comfortable bed. With the night’s bravado aside, to tell the truth, I was afraid. Terrified to move forward.
    If selected to represent Sector 8, I would at least be allowed to live in a sanctioned hanger with my partner—whoever that would be. Barrage participants needed all the time they could get to both design and build their armor during the one month allowance. The Magistrate didn’t want the participants wasting time trying to find a suitable place to both work and live in. They needed to live and breathe their designs. Every moment of every day was crucial if they had any desire to make it out of the Barrage alive.
    Pulling the soft comforter to my chin, I stared at the shadows dancing upon the ceiling again: dancing jesters, mocking me with their cruel smiles.
    What if my name wasn’t drawn?
    I’d be forced to live on the streets, knowing for a fact that I would be unwelcome in this home. I was a fool to think that even if I was drawn, I stood a chance against those who had been preparing themselves to fight in the tournament since the day they first breathed life.
    I had only a month.
    The Barrage wasn’t my only worry either. What if I was wrong about the Council’s loyalty to the Law? I could be taken while I slept and thrown over the Wall into the Outlands for speaking out against them; or poisoned into making it look like the stress of my responsibility had reached an overwhelming level in which I’d decided to take my own life. Knowing the Council, they would appreciate the first choice. How ironic that the curious girl got to finally find out what’s beyond .
    I could only hope that the Laws of Prosper—the Laws in which they held above all else—would protect me.
    Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, too tired to even rig up one of my usual contraptions to keep the door jarred firmly into place. I needed to sleep if I was to have any strength for the coming days. If they came for me in the night—then let them come.
    My fate was already sealed.
     

 
    Chapter 5
     
    Bloody Noses ~ Atrocious Acts
     
     
    I walked through a barren landscape, my bare feet aching from the brambles and stones that tore at them. The sky grew dark and ominous as the storm gathered overhead. I tried to swallow, but found I could not for my throat was dryer than the dirt that lay beneath my feet. I kept walking. Desperate for water. Just one sip was all that was needed.
    As though in response to a prayer, I felt the barest hint of a sprinkle caress my hand, a gentle blessing. I opened my arms wide as I fell to my knees, desperate for one of the errant drops to soothe my cracked