REVOLUTION: A Rebel Among Monsters ✔

Forty-Two••The Future Separates Us

It was strange to be surrounded by darkness, but not on forbidden soil. Melaynia's memories of the blood-red moon and the stars weren't good; it would take a while to create newer, better ones.

She sat at one of the tables set up by the Attendants. Her father squeezed to her left, Valnia to her right, and Valeyria beside Valnia. They dined on a delicious feast of delicacies from around the world. And on the podium, the Eldians were declaring an official pardon to the Impians. They made them apologize to the population, and promise to fulfill their real duties from then on.

Protect Ceruleans, never lead them astray.

The Eldians explained how their recruits hadn't aged; how Eldian blood gifted one with eternal youth. And that Impian blood reversed the process, meaning the soldiers had a choice. "Tonight, they must finalize that choice," said one Eldian, as the others lined up near the still roaring bonfire; Eldians to the left, Impians to the right. "Remain youthful, retaining their roles in our army, or return to a normal life. They have until the end of the feast to choose a side."

Melaynia froze, her fork halfway into her mouth.

Valnia smiled at her, but her lips quivered. "The line will be long at first, so... we can go when we're done eating."

Melaynia shoved the food into her mouth and looked askance. She had no doubt Valnia was wasting time, because she wanted the normal life, a family with Wylan; and Melaynia wanted to go into space.

We'll be separated again no matter what.

Wylan and his parents stopped at their table, and while the adults chatted, Wylan and Valnia slipped away. Melaynia imagined they were discussing their decision, confirming their desires. They'd been eighteen-year-olds for too long, and surely wanted lives as real adults with real roles in society.

Alone, Melaynia stood up and wandered off to the side of the transformed Ceremonial Plaza. Recruits began to form up on either part of the podium, and the Impians extracted vials from their mushy bodies. There appeared to be an equal number of soldiers for both options, from what she saw.

She shrugged. Of course she wanted a normal life, too, but she couldn't have one. Not after what she had discovered. And her own boyfriend hadn't come to welcome her home, so what was the point? Everything had changed. She had changed.

"I'm surprised you weren't the first one up there," said a familiar tone behind her.

She jolted around, spitting a wad of chestnut curls from her mouth. "What?" Her brows lifted as she sighted him. "Quincy? I... thought you weren't here!" She immobilized, unsure whether to jump into his arms, slap him, or both.

His habitual sly smile slithered across his face; the one she'd seen the last night she spent with him. The one she'd memorized whenever her rebellious nature surfaced.

"I mean, it was an obligation," he said, scrunching his nose, striding towards her. His light eyes glimmered, and his dark skin seemed to glow; as if he were a specter, an apparition.

But when he grabbed her and yanked her into his embrace, she knew he was real. "You jerk!" She banged her fists to his shoulders but didn't resist him. "I hate you so much."

Quincy laughed. "Yeah, I love you too, Mel." He seized her chin and gazed into her eyes, sending chills up and down her spine; and when he kissed her, she broke into pieces. Recollections of their last eve together, of their tears, of their farewells.

"Oh, Quinn." She melted into him, savoring his kiss, enjoying him after so many moments of wondering if she'd ever be with him again. She had missed him and his attitude, his sternness, his firm hold, his strong build.