Infinity

Chapter Nine

When I wake up, I have the strange sense that something isn't right. I have a feeling that something--I don't remember what--is going to happen. And then, I remember last night. Andrew. My face pales and I remember that I'm going to have my saving ceremony today. I feel sick to my stomach.

Sunlight coming through the high window in my room is a soft golden yellow. The same color our eyes turn when we are scared. I swallow, knowing that there is no way for me to get out of this one. I'm stuck. I'm getting saved. Or, I'm going to loose my sister.

There is a loud knock on my bedroom door, and I get a sinking feeling that it's Andrew. Here to take me to the ceremony. The knock comes again, louder, and I shake the covers off.

"Give me one second," I call. "I'm getting dressed."

"Don't bother," the person on the other side of the door calls. I'm surprised when I realize it's a female voice. The door opens and I'm even more surprised to see a woman in a dark brown, silk-looking robe. Her hair is up in a strict bun.

"My lady!" I gasp, and kneel down, on my bedroom floor. What is she doing here? I think. In my experience, the queen has never gone to someone's house on the day of the ceremony. At least not before the ceremony. "Might I ask what your presence here is about, ma'am?"

"Infinity," she says, "you don't have to be so formal. I'm any other person, just like you. I just need you to do something for me."

I'm still kneeling, my head down. "What is it? I shall do anything you ask of me." As a guard of the city, I am obligated, even on the day of my ceremony, to do whatever a royal might ask.

"Please, stand." I stand, straight and tall, looking at her in the eye. She is smiling at me, her green eyes warm. "Infinity, what I ask of you--no one should have to take this burden on such short notice, but--" She breaks off, pursing her lips together.

"What is it, my lady?" I ask, worried over what she is having such a hard time asking me.

"Infinity, I am going to expire, soon," she says, coming over and sitting on my bed. I hold in a gasp. Expiring, for the Infinites, is when one becomes too old. On the inside of an Infinite's wrist, is a number. That number is the age you will be when you would die of old age. Mine, for example, says 68.

When you reach the age that you are to expire, you name a new master for what you do. "My lady, I don't understand why you are telling me this," I say, yet part of me knows. She's appointing me to do her job. The one she was saved to when she was young would leave their job as well and the one I am saved to will take his place.

"Infinity, I'm appointing you as the one who takes all my inheritance. My job as well. The day I die, you will be queen."

The words ring within me and around me. No, I think. No, I can't!

"My lady," I say, "I am honored, but--why?"

She chuckles slightly. "You seem like a great leader, Infinity. You have a strong name. And blood. You have lost so much yet--No one has even seen you shed a tear, have they? You've never cried in front of anyone. This place needs a strong Luminary, and you are that. You cannot let this place down."

"Yes, my lord," I say. I am shaking.

"Also," she says, bringing something out from behind her back. I was so distracted that I hadn't even realized that she had brought something with her. "I wish for you to wear this for the ceremony. It was my own. I've had it trimmed to fit your--personality."

The thing that she brought from behind her back looked like red silk, but the fabric seemed to be made of flame. It seemed to bend and flow like fire. She handed it to me, and I gasped when I touched it. It was cold, like ice, but felt amazing to hold. "Th-thank you, ma'am," I say.

"Thank you, Infinity," she says. "And please do not let me down. Your saved one will be here in 15 minutes. I suggest you get ready."