The Girl Who Dared to Think by Bella Forrest (best novels of all time TXT) 📗

in surprise. His eyes darted down to my wrist, and then back up to my face. “Extraordinary!” he exclaimed. “To rise so far, so fast? Tell me, did you take some time to learn of the Water Ways?”

I hesitated, and then shook my head. “Not that I can recall, sir. I went to the Medica and they gave me some medication. I’m afraid it’s affected my memory some; I can’t seem to remember the past few classes we’ve had together.”

Phineas looked disappointed, but then grinned broadly. “No matter. It is good to see your treatment is so effective. Your story could inspire other lost souls like you. You really should come to a service.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said, very uncomfortable. He nodded, and I used that opportunity to excuse myself, hurrying over to some open seats toward the back of the room and dropping into one. Zoe arranged herself in the seat to my right, while Eric dropped down on the left.

“Well that was awkward,” I said, pushing my hair behind my ear. “Zo?”

“Don’t look at me—my mom’s the religious one in the family. I always found the Water Ways too… mystical for my tastes.”

I chuckled, and we fell into a companionable silence as a few more students straggled in. Soon, Phineas started the class. First we reviewed a few of the more important signals for Callivax—mostly directions and warning signals—and then went over a few of the symbols for identifying a water treatment pod’s function within the Tower.

“Hot and cold running water is marked by color,” Eric recited, as if from rote memory. “Blue for cold and red for hot.”

“Very good,” Phineas replied. “And who knows what the hot water is for?”

“Creating steam for condensation in the greeneries,” one of the Medica students said tentatively.

“And helping heat the forges in fabrication down in Cogstown,” Zoe added lazily.

“Correct. It’s imperative you pay attention to these functions. Hot water will always be in glass pipes, as our glass-fabrication process can withstand the heat coming off the water. Now, can anyone tell me why they are hot?”

“It’s part of the purification process for cleaning it,” a Cog boy with wild orange hair said. “There’s a lot of radiation still in the water, and heating it is just one of the many steps for cleaning it.”

“Very good. Now, who can tell me—”

“Excuse me, Master Diver.”

Gerome’s deep voice was familiar, but when you weren’t expecting it, it really sent a shiver down your spine. I felt myself go straight as a post, and turned to see Gerome standing there. How on earth had he just appeared like that?

“Knight Commander,” Phineas said, offering a little bow. “I was just going over safety protocols. Is there a problem?”

“Liana has no need of more than basic Water Treatment training,” Gerome announced firmly, and I frowned. “She intends to become a Knight. Don’t you, Liana?”

“Uh, yes,” I stammered. “But I’m not certain I should miss—”

“You’re required in the Citadel, Liana,” Gerome said, fixing me with a pointed look. “Immediately.”

A chill ran down my spine as the room got quiet. I sat there for a moment, but then stood up. Zoe gave me an alarmed expression, and I knew what she was thinking. It was the same thing I was thinking: I’d gotten caught.

“You can get notes from one of your friends, Liana,” Phineas said congenially. “And I will see you next class.”

Somehow my legs propelled me forward toward Gerome, who was now opening the door to allow me access to the hall. I stepped past him and came to a halt on the large platform, looking up at the Citadel hanging over four hundred feet away. My heart began to pound.

How could they have found out so soon? Had my number been flagged for rising too quickly? What if they had found out about the pill? What was going to happen to me?

At that moment I felt very much like I was in freefall, with the added spike of fear and adrenaline that came from missing a lash connection. Only this time, I wasn’t sure there was a lash hold within distance that could save me.

“Squire?”

I blinked up at Gerome, who was looking down at me, and realized he was waiting for me.

“Sir?” I said, coming around to face him at attention. It was more habit than anything, but it was ingrained, something familiar, and it helped keep the growing fear at bay. Not by much, but it helped.

Gerome studied my face, his expression thoughtful. “You look a little pale, Squire. Are you unwell?”

“No,” I said, and then belatedly realized I could’ve lied. Clenching my teeth together to prevent a curse from slipping out, I quickly scrambled, looking for something to explain my paleness that didn’t rhyme with “terrified beyond belief that you caught me doing something potentially (definitely) illegal,” and managed to fabricate one from seemingly nowhere.

“I’m just surprised, sir. I didn’t expect to see you today. I’m not on duty.”

Gerome frowned, his eyebrows meeting over his nose as he drew them together. “We were supposed to meet today, remember? We discussed this on Tuesday.”

I frowned, doing the math, and my frown morphed into a scowl. No, you and Prim discussed it. Liana was not around.

Then relief washed over me as I realized he wasn’t there to arrest me. We just had something we needed to talk about, I guessed. I took a deep breath, trying not to let my relief show in front of Gerome. He’d notice.

“I’m sorry, Knight Commander,” I said, shaking my head. “I must have forgotten. It’s a side effect of the medication, you know. Can you refresh my memory?”

“Of course,” Gerome said smoothly, nodding us toward the bridge. “But it’s a lot better if I just show you.”

13

Gerome and I walked in relative silence back toward the Citadel, and I used the time to collect myself... and speculate on what this appointment could be. I still had no access to memories from when Prim had been in control, so that