Born for Silk (The Cradled Common)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Aster

Tears mist my vision as we scramble through a metal hatch into an underground chamber. The lights flicker once, or maybe, it was my imagination.

I stare at the trapdoor, knowing that in a few moments, an hour, or more or less—I don’t know—it will open again.

And someone will be on the other side.

I do not know who…

I cannot change what happens on the other side of that metal door. I have absolutely no impact on those events. I can only control what I will do on this side, on how I will react.

Meltdown?

Fall apart?

Imagine the worst?

Reel in his lies…

I once was told, if I’m ever unsure how I feel, I should toss a puzzle piece in the air and will either be pleased or disappointed by the result.

Colour side up, I forgive him.

Blank side up, I cannot forgive him.

But as I stare at the hatch, deaf to the surrounding commotion from the girls, it is crystal clear without the puzzle piece—half of my heart is out there fighting for our lives.

If somehow, he can feel me down here, I only want him to feel love.

Spinning around, I face the large concrete room. At first, I can barely absorb the details of the enclosure, but I feel it’s confinements. The windowless space presses on my chest.

Focus.

I scan the room presented like a small house, with all necessities and cabinets with old books and gold, except… If we need to fight— If the hatch is blown open— Are there any weapons?

“Are there any weapons down here?” I ask Han, my voice uniform and empty.

He opens a closet, displaying a single rifle, and I almost laugh. “We don’t believe in murder.”

“Right,” I mutter, hollow. “Your king will do that for you. How convenient.”

The Common girls are climbing onto bunks, staring at me while Ana stays close to my side, seemingly knowing better than to fill the moment with words, or perhaps the glaze in my eyes is frightening them all… What I am willing to do to protect them—to protect him—is frightening me, too.

To my left, Tuscany is with the woman from her Army. That is good. We might need her. She can help me. She is strong and capable. I note that.

But not Tuscany—her complexion is pale, her hands are clasped below her neck, and her fingers are rubbing together. I wonder if she wishes for her toy eagle. I am not one to judge. She has been so brave, but the cracks are showing. This is all my fault; I pushed her to venture outside.

The woman from earlier approaches me while I measure the situation. “I’m Odette. I think I am your sister…”

I glare at her. “And Rome is my king. I need you to leave me alone. I cannot think straight.”

She steps within an arm’s length of me, but not before Ana slides between us, blocking her. “She said leave her alone. You should listen.”

The woman’s gaze sweeps past Ana to my belly; my jacket has fallen open, displaying the large swell between my hips.

“Is that my niece or nephew?” Her face lights up, her hands invading my space. “Can I?”

I jerk backward. “Stop. Don't touch me.”

Ana shoves her a few steps away. “What do you think you’re doing?”

The woman sneers. “I only want to know the baby… You let him touch you?”

“Girls.” Han moves to stand beside us, his hands held in the air, ready. “I know nothing of what you speak, but the queen is here. We need to listen to her.”

Everyone looks at Tuscany.

“The queen is very tired. And has a small headache.” I move to Tuscany’s side and guide her to one of the bunks, a girl bouncing from it quickly for her queen. “Lay down.” I cover Tuscany with a blanket, protecting her fragile state from their eager eyes.

Feeling anger bubble, I whirl around to confront the woman— my supposed sister.

“I let the king touch me, yes. It is my duty and my pleasure. That is my king. Your king! And the man out there fighting to protect your compound and you. What do you think will happen if they find us?”

The woman lifts her chin, proud. “They will kill us. We will go to heaven.”

I scoff. “I know nothing of your heaven, but let me tell you a story… They won't just kill you. They will keep you alive. Live meat. They will rape you, all of you. They will take little pieces from you day by day and rape you without limbs. Then, when you are no more than a head on a torso, they will kill you. It's not just a story. It's a fact. I've seen it. And my...” Tears fill my throat. “ Your king is out there fighting for us. You will respect him!”

Tension zaps through the air.

“He has brainwashed you.” She grips her hips. “I just want to know you. I didn't want to give you away to be a... a concubine.”

I grit my teeth. “You're terrified. And angry. I will forgive your disrespectful words, but you will be silent now.”

Ana’s cheeks glow dark red, furious. “We are Silk Girls, not concubines. Our Trade is highly respected. We are highly respected. Things are not what you think. You place no regard on the collective of The Cradle, only on yourselves. We serve The Cradle. Sire serves The Cradle. You serve yourself.”

“I serve God. Not myself,” she corrects.

“Good for you,” I growl, and it does sound like a kitten-call. “Give him a rifle and have him defend us then—have him defend your king!”

She fists her hands at her sides. “Why do you think we even have a bunker? I will tell you. We built it after the first big raid that killed dozens of women and men and our priest! Turin of The Strait organised that raid on our community. An Endigo boy from the desert told me. He killed my mother— our mother!”

“And Rome killed Turin.” Tuscany’s voice soars from the far bunk, wrapping around my rage-fuelled body, squeezing me into coils of anguish.

My gaze softens when I find her sitting up, her words quiet, melodic, and pained .

“For all his crimes against humanity,” she says. “ Sire avenged us all. Now, you will sit down and be silent. I order this of you.”

There is no outward sound, but I swear I still hear every girl in the room gasp before accepting complete silence.

“You can see them.” Han’s uncertain utterance kicks me right in the chest, demanding my attention.

I blink at him. “Pardon?”

“I would usually watch, but I feel I am out of my depths. Perhaps, uninformed. Na?ve, even. You can prepare us.” He clears his throat, regret and humility sinking into his gaze. “You seem to be experienced. Mature beyond your appearance. If you think we need to prepare for a loss, you can watch the compound square so we can be ready when the hatch opens.”

My eyes widen.

With slow steps, he walks to a pipe. He swizzles it. It’s a periscope, similar to the one in the tank. My heart leaps into my throat, and I race to the cylindrical contraption fixed to the ceiling.

Pressing my eye to the blurry eyelet, it takes a moment for me to align my vision.

I finally focus and recognise the square, and every wisp of air expels from my lungs when I see the litter of Endigo bodies and Rome’s tank on fire…