28. Raya
RAYA
T he toll of the city bell clanged loudly, and my hand involuntarily shook, messing up the line of a star I was trying to draw as panic began to mount inside me.
Bodhi bounded down the stars as my mother walked out from the kitchen and cast a worried glance towards me. We had firmed up a small plan since our agreement to leave yesterday now that the house was in much better shape.
“It’s never long enough between these meetings,” Bodhi muttered as he shoved on some shoes. I rose, leaving my drawing on the coffee table.
I knew why this meeting was called the second they had announced it earlier this morning. I knew it in my heart that Zander had finally realised the Benefactor was missing, or maybe he already knew he was dead.
It had been days, and I had not seen Riley at all, except for on the TV next to Zander at his usual afternoon address. She had looked entirely normal, unfazed even. I didn’t know how she could move on like that. I was barely holding it together.
Bodhi came over and grabbed my hand as we all left the house and merged with the crowd of Alphas making their way to the Inner Ring, funnelled in by the many guards I could see flooding the streets.
Today’s afternoon address was commanded to be in person, and it would be a lie to say I wasn’t utterly petrified. My stomach had been aching painfully, and my lungs burnt from the pressure of my distress.
Bohdi had spoken few words to me all day, though his jaw got the workout of a lifetime. Meetings like this unsettled everyone.
We funnelled in through the iron gate leading towards the Inner Ring, a line of guards marking our path towards the city square directly in front of the famed podium. It was a rare occasion for Alphas to be granted access to the Inner Ring, with it only happening a few times a year. The difference between the Inner and Outer Ring was distinct, right down to the clothing, with the Omegas dressed in suits and extravagant daywear standing closest to the podium, the Outer Ringers standing at the back in simple attire.
I turned to glance behind me, the world around me growing smaller as guards flanked the crowd from behind. I was grateful to be surrounded by others in the defence as they stepped up around us, my eyes catching Hayden’s and Apple’s, who had pushed through the crowd towards us. I would rather blend in with any crowd in this city than stand out.
The crowd murmured around us, the town square completely filled. Bohdi gripped my hand tighter as we waited for our city’s leader to emerge. Meanwhile, Apple continued jumping around beside me, trying to see over the tall figures in front of us. Hayden laughed quietly whilst watching her, but he didn’t bother to intervene. Usually, I wouldn’t worry too much about this, but today of all days, I didn’t want any attention cast my way.
My hand reached out and gripped her arm to still her as she frowned and turned towards me. I gave her a strained smile.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m just eager to get this over with,” I replied, and she rolled her eyes.
“They are probably just going to announce a new advancement for Omegas and talk about how undesirable it is to be an Alpha in that roundabout way he always does where we all know what he truly means.”
I laughed, but I was nervous. “That is better than any of the other reasons he calls these meetings.”
Her face turned grim, and she raised her eyebrows in agreement. Every other reason involved punishment or death.
The crowd turned quiet as we turned back toward the podium, watching as Zander and Riley made their grand entrance. When you looked at them from afar, they were a perfect pair.
Today, she was wearing her usual white dress, though she had red chandelier earrings hanging from her ears, her dark hair pulled back from her face, showcasing her striking features. She looked beautiful and elegant, and the crowd seemed to agree as her name, not her true one, was whispered through the crowd.
Riley took her place beside Zander, stoic as ever, before he turned towards us. I twirled the rings on my fingers nervously.
“Good morning, residents of our beautiful city. Thank you so very much for gathering here today for my report.” His eyes scanned the crowd of people standing below him with a warm, almost loving smile.
“As you know, three nights ago, an Omega was taken from our city.” A mournful cry rang out from the crowd as Zander looked towards the sound in sympathy. Everything about him was so insincere. I didn’t know how Riley could stand to be around him, let alone let him touch her.
“A failure,” he continued as his eyes dragged across the crowd, “on the part of our defence. A failure,” his eyes found mine and held them, “on the part of our Ace.” I clenched my jaw, and Bodhi’s hand clutched mine tighter.
If only they all knew he let them take that Omega. It was his failure as our leader. But now was not the time or place for those kinds of secrets to surface, not when they were so heavily intertwined with darker ones of mine.
Murderer.
Loud roars erupted from the crowd. I slinked down further, nestling my body behind Bohdi’s broad shoulder, not wanting to draw attention to myself.
“But that is not why I asked you here today.” Zander used his hands to signify the crowd to hush again, his face becoming crestfallen. My stomach pinched.
“Unfortunately, a Benefactor has gone missing.” I stopped breathing then, not daring to cast a single glance towards Riley, though I craved it. What did she look like in this moment? Did she feel as terrified as I did?
Murmurs moved through the crowd, and I allowed myself to cast a quick, nervous glance at Riley, who didn’t falter in her expression.
“As you are aware, the work and donations of our Benefactors are integral to the foundation of our society, and the ripple effect of Benefactor Trey’s absence is sure to be felt throughout the rings of this city. A Benefactor missing for a night is not uncommon, but a Benefactor missing for a few days is.”
Nobody in the crowd spoke as they continued to stare at Zander, and beyond him, towards the guards, who were busy sifting through the faces in the crowd. They were searching for guilt, so I forced my face to slacken fractionally.
“We have evidence to believe that the culprit is amongst us.” His expression hardened. “We ask anyone who may have information regarding the criminal in our midst to please come forward. We endeavour to find the culprit and purge the Haven of their treachery as quickly as we can. In the meantime, you would do well to ensure your doors are locked at night and to not venture out unnecessarily.”
The crowd was now silent, though unease was almost tangible in the air around us. Zander’s surveying landed back on me, though this time, he held it.
“There is a potential murderer in our midst,” he finished, much softer than before, though it was laced with warning. Not the kind that was worried for his citizens, but the kind that promised an innocent’s inevitable death. I exhaled slowly as I felt Bodhi wrap his arms tighter around me, obviously noticing that Zander was watching me.
Then, our leader smiled, quick and lethal. “I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe day!”
With that, he pivoted and marched off the podium, down the stairs towards his ivory tower, Riley hurrying to follow along behind him.
Everything about the moment was jarring.
The crowd hung around in place for a few short minutes, the abruptness of his address like a slap to the face. I looked around, and worry gripped me tightly as I saw residents process the dual threat of a potential criminal and the likelihood of an execution.
A guard barked out to the crowd with a flick of his hands. “Move out!”
Everyone around us grabbed their loved ones and scurried away in a hurry. With Bohdi’s hand still in mine, we followed the group back to the compound, leaving my mum to walk in the other direction, only a quick squeeze on my arm in acknowledgement. I was sick, so very sick, and I still had an afternoon of training to get through. I just had to pretend for a little bit longer.
No one spoke for the entire walk back to the compound, and everyone chose to filter into their own rooms and close the doors for a moment’s reprieve. The threat was very real for the Alphas, a target already fastened to their backs. They were needed, but not enough, and I feared the days coming next. Because I knew he knew.
It was for that reason I knew leaving the Haven was right.