(Book One in the Celestial series)
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She didn't remember much of her former life---except for perhaps the cool scent of the ocean breeze as it filled her nose, or the hard-set lines of her brother's face, maybe even the tune her mother had used to...
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"I have stood firm for so many years and have not faltered."
ROACH COULD NOT REMEMBER the last time she talked as she chipped away at the unyielding rock. It was always a thing to be done in silence, solidarity. A thing to do as she let her imagination drift off into oblivion.
But today, she found herself making idle chatter.
"So Ansel betrayed you?" Roach questioned as Celaena continued on with the tales of her adventures. That first night, Celaena had told Roach about her time stealing Asterion horses and riding them through the desert. Today, she told her of Ansel's betrayal.
Stories were like gold to Roach, tales as precious as shining silver. She might trade her life if only to hear another.
Celaena nodded at Roach's question, swinging the pickaxe into the rock. Her movements were sloppier than the day before, and Roach knew that she had to be in a great deal of pain.
Roach supposed that in some ways she was lucky she didn't have as much feeling in her back anymore.
"What happened to her?" Roach questioned.
Celaena clenched her jaw, but answered nonetheless, "I let her go."
"Admirable, I suppose." Roach replied. "I'm not sure I would have shown such restraint."
"It wasn't easy."
"I wouldn't think so." she replied. "Would you—"
"Be quiet!" A voice commanded near them, and the two girl's turned to look at the overseer that was patrolling close. A sneer was plastered on his face as he looked at them like scum. Nothing but dirt under his shoe. "Get back to work, lest you want another lashing." his eyes were on Celaena as he spoke, and then his gaze turned to her. The expression on his face seemed to twist into something more lethal. "Roach." he said, looking her up and down with even more disdain. "I should kill you."
She merely arched a brow, feigning nonchalance even as a familiar fear gripped her heart. "Do I know you?"
She could see his anger rising as though it was a physical thing. "You killed three of us."
It was a bad decision, but Roach couldn't help but grin. The sick sort of satisfaction she got when she realized she'd hurt an overseer was something she couldn't contain. Something she looked forward to.
Perhaps some of the sadistic tendencies had worn off on her over the years.
She smiled innocently at him, "So sorry, were they friends of yours?"
Suddenly his arm was raised and ready to strike.
He whipped his hand up, palm colliding with her face so harshly a loud smack echoed through the mines. Perhaps she could have blocked it if she wished. But Roach knew when to push her luck. This was not one of those times.
