When I was done, something red-tinged, like jelly stained with blood, oozed down her cheek. I wasn’t satisfied. My breath came quickly as I picked up her right hand, her punching hand, and yanked the smallest finger to the side until a small pop reached my ears. She moaned. I bent down, holding my ear close to her chest. Where was she? In her own dark Pit? Could she hear me?

“Teacher?” I whispered.

She didn’t respond.

Behind me, a voice called my name, as if from a distance. Jetson waved to get my attention. His motions were frantic with fear. I wrinkled my nose. Minus Voltaire, the people gathered in the testing suite represented the strength of the mighty Kongo, and still they were afraid of one slain English woman. Not for long, comrades, I vowed. Together we will muster a power such that we will never be afraid again. To the contrary, we will banish the Assembly, abolish the Compromise and establish an independent Kongo nation. But first—

Ignoring Jetson’s waving motion, I drifted to the window overlooking the arena. I held up my hand and admired the ring in the sunlight. There was a faint trace of blood on the gold gilt—hers or mine?—there was no way of knowing. I removed the braided cloth from my pocket and took my time stringing the ring on the braid. I secured the braid around my nape, like a necklace. I adjusted the bauble so it quivered at the hollow of my throat. A greedy pleasure dilated my pupils, making me long to finish what I had started with Jones. I checked the feeling. I would not kill her—not today.

After years of torture, she didn’t deserve the mercy of a quick death. I had taken one eye, for William. And one finger, for Fount. And that was enough, for today. Soon, when I consolidated the power of the Kongo, I would be back to take my revenge. I paused. I thought of Sky and Kiwi, Runner and Robin. I thought of my unnamed mother. Taking a deep breath, I adjusted the vow. When I had complete power, I’d be back to take not my revenge—but ours.

I turned to face the room. They whispered quietly now, worried and wondering. I took a moment to absorb their faces, a beautiful assortment of brown shades. Deep down, beneath my hatred for Jones, my heart throbbed with love for them. I sniffed and pushed that weaker sentiment aside. Then, with one hand on my Apex, I called them to order.

About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR