Ruth Silver - Moirai

“Right.” I smiled, trying not to feel nervous: we couldn't get caught. The elevator doors opened and Jaxon grabbed my elbow, leading me towards a military vehicle waiting by the front entrance. “What are we doing, Jaxon?”

“How else do you think we'll get inside Genesis?” he asked me pointedly. I knew he was right but this seemed stupid.

“Just don't take off the glamour, got it?” Jaxon stared at me. I nodded and followed as he opened the back door and I slipped inside. I had no idea how this would work. Visitors didn't come and go from Genesis. How they would get me inside and work in the Governor's mansion, I had no idea.

The guard who drove us into Genesis, I never did bother to get his name. He gestured towards the trunk and a change of clothes that would be appropriate for my position in town. I rolled my eyes and changed outfits in the backseat just as we headed towards the stone walls of Genesis. I kept glancing in his rearview mirror, making sure he wasn't watching me disrobe. Although the pants were one size too big and the shirt one size too small, it would have to do. Dressed in grays and blues, I would fit in for my position as a servant. I fidgeted with the crest on my sleeve, Livery. Although I'd never seen it up close, I knew what it looked like from school. My stomach clenched and my hands bunched into fists as I felt my heart rate climb. I could do this, I had to do this, I had no other choice. I swallowed the fear and uncertainty. The guard dropped us off at the front of Governor Craynor's mansion and Jaxon gripped my arm as he led me towards the entrance.

I glanced at him, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. He looked nothing like the Jaxon I knew, clothes included as he wore the government's standard-issue gray military uniform and carried a file in his hand; the game was on. “This way.” Jaxon's voice was deeper than usual—he didn't even sound like himself. His skin color hadn't changed but his eyes were a lighter shade of brown and I couldn't make out his hair under the military hat.

“Did you grow two inches taller?” I whispered, unable to take my eyes off him. It was still strange to witness a glamour: it didn't matter that I was just as capable of performing one.

“Quit it, Jacqueline,” he rasped, reminding me of my role. I stared straight ahead as we approached the front door and Jaxon gave three knocks. A moment later the door opened and one of the servants stepped aside, letting us enter.

“It's good to see you again, sir.” The young brunette closed the door behind us. “The Governor is in his study, I'm sure he'd be happy to see you.”

“Good.” Jaxon nodded curtly, leading me up the staircase, familiar with the layout of the mansion. I knew he must have studied the blueprints, gotten them from someone in the rebel alliance. How had the servant recognized Jaxon? Who was he pretending to be? I had no idea where I was going and knew Jaxon otherwise wouldn't have had a clue.

Jaxon paused momentarily before knocking on the closed study. “Come in,” Craynor's voice echoed from behind the door. I tried my best to relax, to not show fear, but I was terrified. Jaxon turned the handle and pushed the door open, stepping in first. I followed close behind him.

“Sir.” Jaxon handed the manila folder to the Governor. “From the city of Livery, Governor Sevean would like to lend you Jacqueline.”

Governor Craynor looked me over and gestured me closer. “Jacqueline.” He tilted his head, examining me. “What is it you do, child?”

Jaxon answered for me. “She was a housekeeper and servant for the Governor in Livery.”

Craynor laughed, throwing his hands on the desk. “And what did you do to deserve coming to visit me, hmmm?” He watched me for a moment before answering his own question, “I know he owes me one but this is beyond preposterous. There are rules about travel between towns for a reason.” He glanced me over. “You're okay—you didn't see anything frightening out there, did you?”

“I'm fine, sir.” I was surprised he cared at all about me traveling through the Gravelands. Or was he protecting himself, for fear of what I might tell the others in Genesis?

“Very well.” Craynor closed the folder, not looking too much at the details. “If Sevean says you're good enough to work under my roof, so be it.” He eyed me skeptically. “Do you not have family back in Livery, a husband?”

“No, sir. He died from an unfortunate event.” I didn't elaborate and hoped he wouldn't ask any more questions. I knew Jacqueline was under eighteen but there was no way they'd have transferred a child between cities. I had to be quick and think on my feet.

“I see.” Craynor answered. “Very well. We'll have to make accommodations in the meantime for you here, if that's all right with you?”

“That would be fine, sir.”

“Good, good.” He stood up. “Take the young lady—Jacqueline, is it?” I nodded in response. “To her quarters. Show her the work uniform and then have one of the girls give her the tour. The last thing we need is you getting lost before the Governor's Ball.” He laughed. “That would be something else. I'll have to thank Sevean for bringing me such good company as well.”

I shuddered at the thought and didn't let it linger as Jaxon grabbed my arm and led me out of the Governor's study, closing the door behind us. “What was that?” I asked, glancing at him as he led me down the stairs to the first floor. Jaxon didn't understand my question: he gave me a confused look before I elaborated. “You don't think this other Governor will give it away that he didn't send me as a gift?”

Jaxon laughed. “Hopefully it won't get to that and no, I think he won't admit to not providing a present. It'd look tasteless, like he forgot some momentous occasion.” He led me down the hall and gave a swift double knock before opening the door. “Your quarters, ma'am,” he teased, taking a step back.

“You're leaving me here?” I chewed anxiously at my bottom lip. This was a bad idea, all of it.

Jaxon reached for my hands. “You'll be fine.” He gave them a tentative squeeze before letting go. “Just stay out of trouble,” he warned me before retreating out of my room and down the hall.

It wasn't long before one of the servants walked by the room, stopping the moment she caught sight of the door ajar. “Hello?” Her soft voice echoed as she knocked on the open door.

“Hi. I'm Jacqueline.”

“Lisa Vazquezanzua.” She returned the handshake twice as strong. “You must be new?” she questioned. “How odd, we don't usually get new employees until graduation.”

“I was a gift,” I said, knowing it would sound strange but laughing to lighten the tension. It seemed to work as the curious look slowly turned to a warm, inviting smile. Her deep caramel eyes looked amused. “I used to work for the Governor in Livery,” I explained.

Lisa tilted her head slightly, taking my words in. “How, interesting.” I knew I shouldn't have said anything since it could probably get me killed, considering no one ever leaves their town, but it wouldn't take long for questions to emerge when no one knew or remembered me growing up in Genesis.

“Yes.” I smiled brightly. “Can you tell me where my change of clothes is?” Although the uniforms were similar in style and design, each city had a different emblem embossed on the arm. Seeing the mark of Livery, I knew I could change it, but not with Lisa watching me.

“Of course, follow me.” She led me down the hall and towards a storage closet. Opening it, she revealed an array of outfits situated with their appropriate sizes by shelf. “You can take a few, they'll be replaced when the next shipment comes in,” Lisa assured me.