Page 116 of Dark Island: Rescue
There had been a time I wanted to become a clothing designer, but it had never become more than a hobby. I enjoyed the imagining and drawing parts, but I did not like sewing.
She turned back to the wardrobe and pulled out a deep blue dress I hadn't worn in ages. It was a bit too formal for the bar. "This is much better. It'll bring outyour eyes, and your golden hair will look fabulous draped over it." She tossed me the dress. "After I free it from that awful braid and curl it. Where is your curler?"
"In the drawer." I held up the dress.
It wasn't one of my designs, and it wasn't daring, but Shovia was right about it making me look good.
I put on the dress, released my hair from the braid, and let Shovia go at it with the curling iron.
"It's our last big hurrah," I murmured. "One last night of fun before the rest of our lives unfolds."
"Speak for yourself." Shovia wound a section of my hair around the curler. "I intend on partying every night until the pilgrimage, and if I make the Spy Corps, I will get to party for the next four years."
I shivered. "I think you have a misinformed notion regarding what spying entails. The Shedun don't party. They don't even joke. The only things that make them happy are torture and slaughter."
I didn't add the other thing that they enjoyed doing to captive females.
Shovia paused with the curler in hand. "You know that the Spy Corps also operates in Eluria, right?"
"I do, but what if you are sent to Sitoria?"
Chicha let out a small huff of disapproval at all the fuss.
"They wouldn't send me there right away." Shovia wound another strand of hair around the curler. "Only the best of the best are sent into enemy territory, and even as vain as I am, I know that I won't be the best until at least the end of my second year. Until then, I'll party."
I chewed on my lower lip. "I wonder how the SpyCorps reconciles our commitment to the Ten Truths with all the lying and pretending spies need to do."
She paused with the curling iron above my head. "There are many ways to skirt the truth without actually lying. We all know how to do that to some extent, and I assume they will teach us even better ways in the training course. There is also the exception that allows lying to save a life, and that applies to our own lives as well. I guess that can also be extended to saving Elucia."
I was surprised that my dear friend, who wasn't a deep thinker or a devout follower of Elu's Truths, had given so much thought to the issue.
"You really are serious about this."
"I am." She picked up the brush and ran it through a section she hadn't curled yet. "I don't know what they teach there. No one talks about what is done in the Spy Corps." She leaned over me and grinned at our reflection in the mirror. "No one even admits to being accepted. So, if I inform you that I've been assigned to the athletic training department or some other mundane post like that, don't believe me." She winked at me in the mirror.
When Shovia was done, I barely recognized the girl staring back at me from the mirror. My golden blond hair, which usually couldn't decide whether it wanted to be straight or wavy, cascaded in soft, large waves down my front and back, standing out against the deep blue of my dress.
I looked pretty.
"You look amazing," Shovia declared, a pleased expression on her face. "The guys will fight over you."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smallsmile that tugged at my lips. "Right. As if anyone would be able to tear their gaze off you long enough to notice me."
Shovia was a knockout, and she knew how to work her assets. Even all dolled up, I was still no match for my best friend, who was half a head taller, had all the right curves in all the right places, and exuded a natural sensuality that enchanted men.
"You underestimate your appeal." Shovia motioned for me to stand up. "Shoulders back," she commanded. "Chin up, and smile." She waved her hand. "Now, walk and sway your hips a little."
Trying to follow her instructions, I felt like an animated mannequin from one of those fancy clothing stores in Podana.
Shovia groaned. "Never mind. You look ridiculous. Just walk like you always do."
She often teased that I walked like a guy, which was ridiculous since I was petite and quite girly. Being practical and preferring comfort didn't make me masculine, just sensible.
As we entered the living room. My mother's eyes widened. "You look lovely, Kailin."
"You look beautiful, sweetheart," my father said. "Have fun, but don't drink more than one beer and don't stay up too late."
As I nodded, I caught Shovia rolling her eyes.
