Chapter Sixteen #2
“Apologies for yelling. I let my anger get the best of me there.” Maitoza sat back down, her grin returning as she stared at us.
Her eyes lowered, stopping at the spot where my hand rested on the table.
Looking down, I realized Nova had set her hand inches from mine.
While I left mine there, Nova tore hers away, clearing her throat.
“That’s okay, we understand,” Nova said. “I’ve had my fair share of outbursts.”
“Regardless, it won’t happen again. To get back on track, let me answer a few of your questions.
” She leaned towards us, her hands moving as she spoke.
“Supply drops are extremely difficult, because they have to be meticulously planned and perfectly executed. We risk not only ourselves being caught, but any allies we have.”
At my side, I felt Nova lean forward, listening more intently now. I knew I needed to be doing the same, but I couldn’t stop myself from feeling repulsed by Maitoza’s every word.
“As for what we smuggle onto the continent, it’s not what you might think. Of course, we offer what natural resources we can find, as our priority is strictly eadi. Our most important item, though, is haya.”
A gasp sounded from my right, Nova’s hand flying to her mouth. “Why haya? What do you stand to gain from supplying it?”
“It allows us to even the playing field. But we have to be careful when doing so.”
“Wait, why is it something you have to hide?” I asked. “The core families never cared about haya. Eventually it kills the user—poisons them from the inside. What’s the point of hiding it?”
At my side, Little Void stiffened, her back going so straight it looked painful. I wished I could say something to reassure her that I understood why she did what she did, but that conversation didn’t need to happen in front of the human abyss before us.
“Regardless of how the core families say they feel, it’s important for us to not be discovered. We struggle enough with protests, but those are necessary to bring more eadi to the cause. While haya might not be a permanent solution, it does give us a bit more room to grow.”
“So you’re telling me that the rebellion has been manufacturing and distributing haya? For how long?” Nova sounded bewildered, as if this truth changed everything for her.
“Well, haya has existed for about a century now, but it didn’t become easily obtainable until about eight years ago when the rebellion began to truly form.”
“Eight years? You’ve been active for eight years but you haven’t done anything to help the eadi other than supply them with an elixir? One that, for your information, isn’t as easily accessible as you think.”
Panicked by her tone, I slid my hand under the table and gripped Nova’s thigh, squeezing hard enough to cause her to jump in surprise.
“What I think Tershetta is trying to say is that it sounds odd that you’ve made no real moves in the entirety of the rebellion’s existence.
Why is that?” I asked, loosening my grip.
Nova’s hand wrapped around mine, squeezing so hard it ached.
Though it wasn’t the time or place, I felt my cheeks heat. She’s holding my hand.
“Entire regimes don’t fall in a day. You can’t possibly imagine how difficult it is to tear down corruption and weed out hatred.
There is only so much we can do right now.
However, with the two of you on our side, I believe our time is quickly approaching.
” Maitoza splayed her hands, as if nothing else could be said. “So, will you do the drops?”
Squeezing Nova’s thigh again, I tried to somehow convey my distaste for the task. My distrust for anything Maitoza wanted us to do.
“Yes, we’ll do it,” she said, patting my hand as if she understood. Then she lifted my palm, effectively removing my touch. So much for communicating my thoughts. I sighed, nodding along as I let my hand return to my lap. “But—”
“Perfect! Would you like to see our facility where our alchemists work?”
Maitoza stood as she spoke, barely waiting for Nova’s reluctant nod before she began walking towards the doors. I followed begrudgingly, wishing I could salvage what had gone completely wrong. We didn’t even know what Maitoza wanted. Not really.
As soon as we made it into the small hallway, Maitoza turned right, taking us back out of the building. When we were outside, she led us to a building about fifty feet away, holding the door for both of us. It felt degrading in a way I hadn’t suffered in a while.
But it was once we were in the echoing stairwell that Maitoza turned.
“Before we get there, I do have a question for you, Nova.” Against my better judgment, I’d let Nova walk closest to Maitoza, which left her back to me as the two of them faced off.
“Yes?”
“What do the stars think of me?”
Nova went silent, even her breaths stopping as Maitoza leaned in closer. Ever the fanatic, the rebel commander looked crazed as her wide eyes locked on Nova’s.
“Um…they think you’re fine. Entertaining, I mean.”
“Sorry. Let me clarify. What do they think of the rebellion? Do they support our cause?”
My mind flashed to the scene in the interrogation room. Nova strapped to a chair. Father awaiting her answer. The stars trying to touch me.
“Of course,” Nova said, her voice pitched higher than normal. Liar.
“Excellent. Thank you so much. Truly, you have no idea what a gift it is to know that.” Then Maitoza began walking again, practically skipping up the stairs with a very real, almost soft, smile stretching her face.
Grabbing Nova’s hand as it flew back with her step, I tugged her into my chest. Momentarily, I reveled in the feel of her warmth against me. She still smelled like a cool day in the woods. Like peace. I almost closed my eyes, but I knew that would only lead to my refusal to let go.
Sometimes, when one’s eyes were closed, they forgot about the limitations of the world. Of the impossibilities.
“I don’t trust this. We shouldn’t go on this mission,” I whispered into her ear, her loose curls tickling my nose.
She turned, my lips accidentally grazing her cheek as she did. Sadly, she backed away, blinking rapidly. “It’ll be fine, Altair. We’ll have each other.”