Page 24 of Blue Arrow Island
The other woman is tall, her long black hair tied back at the nape of her neck. She’s giving me a cool, assessing gaze.
“You’re a one, aren’t you?” she asks.
I hold out my wrist with the bracelet. “What gave me away?”
Pax laughs softly beside me. “Cool your shit, Yelena. Briar’s cool.”
“I’m sure.” Her voice is laced with sarcasm.
The man nudges Yelena’s arm. “Let’s go.”
She glares at me for a couple more seconds before the three of them leave. I blow out a sigh.
“The women here just love me. It’s these, isn’t it?” I hold up my wrists so theXtattoos face him.
“Not for Yelena. It’s jealousy.”
I roll my eyes. “Right. Because I’m a one and I belong in the kitchen.”
“No.” Pax’s eyes are locked onto me, swirling with intensity. “That’s not why.”
My body warms, an invisible connection between us tugging at me. I don’t want to get involved with anyone, because it would sidetrack me from what’s most important. But when I’m around Pax, my body doesn’t seem to care about the plans my mind has.
I avoid his gaze. “She’s welcome to switch places with me and find out what it feels like to have mud in places you never thought mud would be.”
His lips turn up in a smile. “No one’s switching places with you.”
He glances over each shoulder like he’s making sure no one can overhear him. My stomach knots because even though I feel a pull of attraction, I won’t give into it, and I don’t want to have to shoot down one of the two most powerful people in this camp.
“There’s something you need to know. Did Marcelle tell you about the circle?”
“No.”
He presses his lips together tightly, his expression grim. “Yeah, I figured. We’re about peace, order and prosperity here—you already know that. And part of prosperity is creating a new generation of Rising Tiders.”
My attention snags on his use of the word “creating.” Most people don’t consider their children creations. But he’s not hitting on me, and that’s a win. So I listen and don’t interrupt him.
“Some of the women here...” He stops, seeming to consider. “I don’t know how to put it. They love having babies. They think it’s their most important role here.”
I put my palms up. “I have no problem with that. If it’s their choice, it’s their business.”
“We agree with that. TheXtats are...all-encompassing, I guess. They don’t explain each woman’s individual circumstances.”
I narrow my eyes, not liking where he’s going with this. “I don’t owe anyone explanations.”
“I agree.” He steps closer to me. “Look, my point is...I think you probably got jumped by a group of women who judged youbased on that ink. And if you give me their names, they’ll be disciplined for it.”
I shrug and look away. “I didn’t get a good look at any of them.”
“Bullshit,” he mumbles before clearing his throat. “Anyway, probation lasts thirty days here. Then you’re a full-fledged one. And once that happens, any other one can ask you to step into the circle with them.”
I cross my arms. “What does that mean?”
“We have a circle over by the beach. An actual circle, where two people fight. There are rules: no weapons, no one else can enter the circle under any circumstances, and only one person walks out of the circle.”
I just stare at him for a couple long, dumbfounded seconds as I digest his words. “You mean...fight to the death?”
“Yeah. I’ve been in the circle a few times myself. And if you don’t tell me who attacked you, I’m pretty sure you’ll end up there on your thirty-first day here.”
