My friends have already gone down to lunch by the time I reach the lounge again, which is fine by me, since I'm still processing the conversation with Ritter. There's a warm glow in the pit of my stomach, a deep satisfaction from the faith Ritter must have in me. I should have recognized it after our first meeting.

To think Hejae has also praised me, I feel like I could burst. Sure, Iskren wants me dead, which is mildly terrifying if I dwell on that fact for too long, but knowing I have Ritter and Hejae in my corner makes it more bearable. Makes me feel like I really could succeed.

By the time I spot Wick and Eveia in D-hall, they've found their families. Kaz sits with them, but it doesn't look like anyone from his family is here.

I'm immediately introduced to Wick's parents, Achesde and Eersa, his older sister Rods, and younger brother Adairs, who is I can already tell will be Viry, then to Eveia's mom, Chavaun, and her dad, Ptolemy. The introductions have barely left Eveia's lips before she demands to know what Ritter wanted.

I hesitate; I'm not sure it's a topic I want to discuss in front of families, and besides, I never told her about Iskren's original arrangement with Ritter.

"The Viry aren't very happy I joined the Kuzabn instead of them," I finally say.

Adairs is watching me intently; I start to feel uncomfortable.

"'Bout time they learn they can't always get what they want," Eveia says. "No offense, munchkin."

She smiles at Adairs. He pursues his lips at her.

"So did Ritter try to make you leave?" Kaz asks softly, but the entire table is interested in my answer. I feel the many eyes drilling into me, but I keep mine on Kaz.

I try to deflect some of the attention from myself. "No, he said that would upset the balance of power to just do whatever Iskren says."

The parents exchange uneasy glances. I probably should have left the attention on me.

"Did he say there's a power struggle?" Eveia asks excitedly. "Do you think there will be an overthrow?"

"Easy, little lady." Ptolemy puts an arm around his daughter. "Someone might think you were unhappy with the current system."

His tone is light despite the admonishment, and he smiles at Eveia with such adoring pride my heart squeezes. I've never known anyone who would look at me like that.

"Nadia?" Eersa leans into the table, her expansive bosom pressing up against the confines of her top. Her eyes are wide in her round face. "Is Ritter expecting an overthrow?"

I shake my head, hoping to backpedal. "Ritter didn't really say anything like that, just that there's some tension so both sides are trying to keep the peace."

Kaz reaches around Ptolemy and tugs Eveia's ponytail. "Don't worry, you little rebel, I'm sure you'll get your chance to actually fight someone sooner or later."

Then he turns to Eveia's mother. "Chavaun, how is your flower garden looking?"

I swear he gives me a wink as the conversation shifts to more neutral topics. Chavaun launches into a description of her lilies, and down the table I can hear Eersa worrying that Wick isn't eating enough. My smile can't possibly convey how grateful I am to Kaz.

After lunch, we go back to the lounge and the more comfortable seats there. Once we reach the couches, I realize Kaz is no longer with us. It doesn't take me long to spot him back near the landing with a similarly darker-skinned woman.

"Nadia!" He waves me over. "Come meet my mother!"

I can't help admiring Kaz's mother as I move closer. Her skin is the color of dark caramel, her eyes a light honey. She has a fine bone structure and plump lips. Her nose, like Kaz's, is a bit too long, but still fits her face perfectly. If her skin were lighter, she'd easily be Viry, even with her long nose.

But then, if her skin were lighter, she may not be quite so beautiful.

"This is my mom, Shea. Mot, this is my friend, Nadia."

She smiles at me, revealing teeth as straight and white as Kaz's.

"Kazimir didn't mention just how beautiful you are."

I'm nothing compared to her beauty. All I can do is smile.

"Yeah, well, she's usually not all done up like that." Kaz winks at me again. "Eveia's doing, I'm sure."

"How is Eveia?"

I don't hear Kaz's answer because my eyes are drawn past them, to the landing where Zarko stands. Senka trails behind him, taking in the Kuzabn lounge with terrified eyes. I can feel Zarko's gaze locked onto me, can sense him moving closer, but my eyes remain on the landing, waiting, hoping, willing Krishel to appear.

And he does.

I squeal his name and launch myself at him, flopping into his arms. He laughs and swings me around.

"Hey, Nan!"

He sets me down, grinning, and I get my first good look at him. My chest freezes as I take in the shiner on his right eye. I grab his chin and turn his face to get a better look.

"What happened?" My voice sounds menacing even to my own ears, which is good, because I know exactly what happened.

Zarko.

All other details are irrelevant.

Krishel pulls his head back and mumbles, "It's nothing."

"Boy's got to learn his place is all," Zarko says.

"Nadia, dear, your hair." Senka's high-pitched voice is horrified. "Your face!"

I laugh sarcastically. "My face is the problem?"

"Family matters don't concern you anymore, princess," Zarko says.

That name would have set me off, regardless. But with Krishel's black eye, I'm already seething.

I take two steps over to Zarko, plant my feet, pivot, and thrust my fist into his face. He stumbles back a few steps, but I follow. Before he can recover his footing, I shove his shoulders and he goes down.

"What the—" His hands come up to block his face, but I wail another punch to his mouth. His reflexes are pathetically slow.

I hear shouts and footsteps; there's a crowd gathering around us, but this is my moment, and it's not over yet. I sink a blow between his splayed fingers with my left fist, but when I pull back my right, a hand closes around my arm and tows me away from Zarko.

Still, I manage a kick to Zarko's ribcage before Briar pulls me out of range.

"You rotten spake," I screech at Zarko through gritted teeth. "I will kill you."

Briar pushes me back and holds up his hands, a warning for me to stop.

One I'm willing to ignore.

"I got her." Shark's voice precedes two meaty hands taking hold of my arms.

He starts pulling me back toward the door. I fight him, still trying to get to Zarko.

"You lay so much as a finger on him again and I swear I will rip you to pieces with my bare hands," I spit at him.

Shark whips me around and shoves me to the door. "Go, Nadia." He points, his features set in a no-nonsense glare.

I pick up the trashcan beside the door and throw it as hard as I can, not caring who might be in the way. People scatter. I slam my forearm against the door to push it open and take the stairs up two at a time. I pass F2 without breaking stride. I need fresh air.

I storm through Briar's gym and crash out onto the pool deck. Raindrops splatter on my face. The lounge must have been too crowded to tell it was pouring out. I take deep gulps of the wet air, trying to calm my shaking.

"You need to cool it, Nadia." Shark must have followed me. "The Kuzabn don't attack those too weak to defend themselves."

"What did he do to my brother, then? Zarko at least deserved it."

"You want to hit someone? Why don't you hit me?"

It's probably not a real invitation. I know it's a mistake before I even react, but I pull my fist back anyway, too angry still to just do nothing.

Shark takes my shoulders and throws me into the pool before I complete my swing. When I come up coughing and spluttering, he's bent over at the side of the pool, his hands on his knees.

"You've got passion, Nadia, and that's good. But you need to learn to control your temper. The Kuzabn don't want a hothead. You become a liability if you can't harness that fire." He stands. "Pull something like that again, and you're done."

He goes back inside.

I slap the water, then swim to the ledge. I'm briefly thankful for Kiira's class on swimming while fully clothed. Kaz helps me out of the water, like he did then. I wonder how long he's been out here.

"Do you want to hit me?" he offers. "Promise I won't throw you into the pool."

I push him half-heartedly. Between the cold water and Shark's reprimand, I've cooled down some. Now, it's all I can do not to cry. I take a deep breath, but my reserve is slipping. I bite my lip and furrow my brow, trying desperately to hold it in.

"Aw, Nadia, come here." Kaz pulls me to him, and I break down.

I cling to the back of his t-shirt. "I thought I was protecting him by coming here."

"Sh." Kaz presses my head to his chest and rocks me gently. "Let it out."

We stand in the pouring rain until my sobs have died down. He smiles at me and wipes a residual tear away with his thumb. "Better?"

I nod, embarrassed now by all my actions.

Kaz walks me through the Dryer room. We don't speak until we leave Briar's gym.

"I think I'm just going to go back to my room," I say.

Kaz throws an arm around my neck. "Nonsense. You can't hide or people will talk. Best to face them all now."

I really don't want to, but with Kaz's arm around me, I do feel braver.

Zarko, Senka, and Krishel are gone when we reach the lounge. Ritter is standing with Briar off to one side; both have their arms crossed and both are frowning. Any confidence I'd gotten from Ritter earlier in the day has shriveled and died. From the look on his face now, I can tell I'm lucky he hasn't kicked me out. I wonder briefly if not for Iskren's proposal, would Ritter send me away? After all, it's much easier to sentence someone to the Infirmids than to death.

I'm briefly grateful for Iskren and his twisted arrangement.

Most of the families have left, not just mine, and I feel a little guilty thinking it's due to my outburst. Eveia and Wick don't seem overly disappointed, though. They're having too much fun reliving the aftermath of my confrontation with Zarko. They still haven't dropped the subject when we go to dinner.

"You should have seen Anders's face when you jumped your dad." Eveia laughs. "I bet he shit himself! He probably won't mess with you again."

Wick shakes his head. "My mot said she didn't think it was a good idea for me to be friends with 'such a troubled little girl.'" He mimics his mother with a high-pitched voice. "I told her, 'you think I'm trying to get on Nadia's bad side after a show like that?'"

I smile. "Wick, I could never hit you."

He nods. "And I'd like to keep it that way."

Eveia says, "My daddy said he understood why we're friends. Said you must be a little hellion like me." She scoops mashed potatoes into her mouth and swallows before continuing. "I told him once I knew you had that in you, we became friends." She shakes her head. "I learned early on, you don't mess around when it comes to Nadia's little brother."

"So where'd you go after Briar and Shark kicked you out? You should have seen Shark's face when you threw that trash can." Wick laughs at the chicken wing in his hand, then takes a bite.

I shrug. "Upstairs. Shark came out and threw me in the pool."

"What!" Eveia says. "That's awesome."

"Yeah, told me to cool it, and that I'll be kicked out for good if it happens again."

"Nadia, our little rebel." Wick sniffs and pretends to wipe a tear. "I'm so proud! I thought for sure Eveia would be the first to really cause a scene."

"You and me, both." Eveia nods enthusiastically.

"Ah, Eveia." Kaz speaks for the first time all meal. "We all know you're all talk."

---------------------------------

So who was rooting for Nadia to kick Zarko's ass? Anybody?

Do you think she's going to get in trouble again?

Also on my profile, I listed all my stories and what days they'll be updated.

VR will be updated on Mondays & Thursdays.

Til next time,

x zuz