Chapter Thirty
The music changed its tune once the musicians realized how many of the winners danced in the center of the room, and how many had seemed to have found themselves a partner.
Christian held Gemma’s body against his while they waltzed to a slow beat. His hazel eyes were so golden tonight, reflecting the color from the accents that saturated the aesthetic of the room. Gemma couldn’t help but stare into them, memorizing their colors and patterns.
“Is something wrong with my face?” He chuckled, giving her waist a squeeze.
Gemma blushed. “Yes, it needs to be less attractive.”
Christian grinned, leaning closer into her. “I could say the same to you.”
She snorted, rolling her eyes.
Christian let go of the hand he’d been holding to touch her cheek, but before he could say anything, the Kaizen, the lieutenant commander, Ivan Mehnkof, and their game master, Rami, entered the ostentatious room. The music silenced, and all stopped dancing to face them.
Gemma’s heart leapt into her throat. She’d been enjoying her time so much with her friends and Christian that she’d almost forgotten what tonight was really about.
Nadine’s murderer stood mere feet away from her now, unaware of what Gemma wore on her hand.
Gemma had been dreaming of this day—literally—for almost three years. Earlier, when she was preparing for the evening, she’d been so ready, so full of fury and energy. But now, her legs barely kept her upright.
Can I still do this? Her eyes briefly flitted to Christian, who watched their leaders with the rest of the room. Do I still want to do this?
“You all look wonderful!” Rami exclaimed, clapping his hands together.
“And I must say, I am thrilled that I will soon get to introduce all of you to the Planetary Systems as my winners of this year’s Oranos Trials!
This has been one of my most difficult Trials to date, yet you all did fabulously.
I am so proud of each of you. Enjoy your evening! ”
The music started, upbeat once again, and Gemma’s heartbeat matched its pace. She clenched onto Christian’s hand without realizing it.
“You okay?” Christian stared at her, his head tipped and eyes bright with worry.
Her eyes burned. What do I do?
She’d begun to enjoy this life, against her better judgment. But Nadine’s murderer deserved to be brought to justice, and Gemma had to deliver it.
Her stomach churned. Her sister had never faltered for her. She couldn’t hesitate for Nadine, either.
Pushing down the bile that settled in her throat, Gemma nodded once at Christian. “Yeah, I, uh, just need to talk to Rami for a second. About my sister and what happened. I’ll be right back.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
Her knees almost gave out. She shook her head. “No, I’ll be okay.”
Christian gave her hand a soft squeeze but nodded and let her go.
As Gemma headed for the bar where Rami spoke with Ivan, it grew harder to breathe with each step, her palms sweating.
This was it. This was what she had been working so hard to accomplish for over three years.
“Excuse me—Rami?”
He twisted toward Gemma and grinned. “Yes, Miss Proctor. How are you?”
He was so friendly that she almost backed away. But this was the man who killed her sister. Her Nadine.
She had to see this through.
Ivan stepped away, leaving Gemma and Rami to speak privately.
“I, uh, wanted to thank you for the challenge of this year’s Trials,” she said. “It was really difficult, but I definitely feel more ready to be in the military.”
Rami put a hand on her shoulder. “That’s great! You and your team did an excellent job. One of the best, in my opinion.”
Gemma smiled then pointed to the drink he held. “What is it that you’re drinking? That looks delicious.”
“It’s called an Electromagnetic Stratosphere. Here, you should try it.” Rami held out the drink to her.
There’s no way he’s making it this easy. “I’d love to.”
As she’d practiced, Gemma slipped the ring off her finger while taking a sip with her other hand. She feigned a cough, covering her mouth with the fist that held the poison ring.
“Oh, that’s so strong,” she said, coughing again.
Rami laughed. “It can be for some.”
From the ring, Gemma popped out the stone via a small lever on its underbelly, and the gem dropped into the beverage, disintegrating in half a second.
“Well, it was nice to formally meet you.” She nodded to Ivan and hurried away before Rami could reply.
Gemma walked straight for Christian, pulling him into a dance again and holding onto him for fear her legs would give out.
“What’d he say?” Christian asked, scanning her face.
“What I expected,” Gemma lied, keeping her gaze on Rami as they swayed.
“You all right after hearing all that?”
Gemma whipped her head back to face Christian. “What? Oh, yeah. I’m fine.”
Christian stopped dancing, his brows furrowed. “Something’s up. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I just asked—” Gemma glanced back to Rami in time to watch as he handed the drink to Ivan and took a second from the bartender.
No. The blood rushed from her body. Her head swam. Her vision tunneled.
Ivan turned to speak with an older woman as he took a sip of what had, apparently, been his drink.
Almost immediately, Ivan stumbled backward, clutching his throat. The glass shattered to the floor, and the lieutenant commander followed. The woman he’d been speaking to screamed as he seized momentarily.
Then stilled.
In what felt like slow motion, Rami turned his head, his gaze locking on Gemma.
He knows. Oh, stars, he knows. Heat flushed through her like an oven.
She needed to run. Now.
“I’m so sorry,” Gemma said to Christian, her voice cracking.
She stepped out of his hold and raced for the exit.
“What—Gemma, wait!” Christian reached for her; his fingertips grazed her arms. But she couldn’t go back, no matter how badly her heart told her to turn around and fall into his arms.
Tears ran down her face as she sprinted for the stairs that would take her to Zion’s main level, where she could escape to Perileos and pray the Dissent would hide her until the search for Ivan’s killer ceased. She had no idea how many floors she had to climb down, but she had no choice.
Her heels pounded against the hard surface as she bolted down the stairs, her chin trembling with each floor she passed.
She’d failed. Everything she’d worked so hard for was for nothing. And not only would Nadine’s death never be avenged, but now she’d lost Christian and her friends and a life free of poverty.
A sob escaped her as a door flung open and guards stepped into the stairwell, their guns trained on her.
No, no, no.
She spun around and raced back up, but the door on the next level opened as well.
Gemma was trapped.
“Please, I didn’t mean—” Pain as hot as lightning shot through her spine.
Blackness overtook her.