Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 200837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1004(@200wpm)___ 803(@250wpm)___ 669(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 200837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1004(@200wpm)___ 803(@250wpm)___ 669(@300wpm)
But I will think about that later because Ceela, Britley, Harlow, and Lucindy have all formed up around me. We do not rush the stairs, we remain calm because we were given instructions.
“I presume it’s all down that way?” Britley is pointing to the far end of the dorm, which feels like a million miles away from where we’re standing.
Ceela begins reciting our instructions from memory. “‘Follow the canal all the way down to the end and you will find an area meant to house five. Claim this space and we will be in touch.’”
“All right then, girls.” Harlow nods her head with firm resolve. “Let’s go make ourselves at home.”
Lucindy takes my hand, squeezes it and squeals. Just once. Just a small one. Then gives me a great big all-teeth smile that is part wince. I squeeze her hand back, smiling as well. Being a Little Sister is a job for us. A very important job. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy all the luxury that comes with it.
Minutes later, having come to the end of the canal, we arrive at a large, open living space outfitted with five separate bedroom nooks, each with an attached private bathroom. All the nooks are different, nothing is the same, but they’re all very similar with thick double-sized mattresses covered in linens so soft and fine, it takes my breath away when my fingertips dance over the surface. The pillows are stuffed with goose down, the blankets lined with fur, the towels in the bathroom are oversized and plush.
“Is this how they live?” Ceela asks, holding up a pillow from the bed she’s chosen. “Like fuckin’ royalty? While all the rest of us down-city shiver under scratchy, threadbare wool at night?”
Britley slaps her playfully. “Watch your mouth, Ceela. We’re up-city girls now.”
“No.” Harlow’s interjection is severe and sharp. “We’re not. We’re always gonna be down-city girls. And we’re here for a reason. Don’t let the posh blankets fool ya, friends. This city is filled with evil and the god uses these fine things to capture souls. You’re ready to sell out for a fuckin’ pillow, are ya, Britley?”
Britley tsks her tongue. “You’re such a downer, Harlow. Put your feet up and look around for once. This is life. Blink and you’ll miss it. Enjoy it. Because your days are just as numbered as mine.”
Harlow growls out her response. “There’s plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead, friend.”
“OK,” I say, inserting an arm between Britley and Harlow. “We’re all on the same side, girls. Harlow, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying what we have. Britley, it’s fine to be excited, but don’t let it go to your head.”
They both nod, then sigh, murmuring apologies.
They don’t have to listen to me. No one ever put me in charge. We’re all equals. But they don’t seem to mind taking orders from me when I give them. I think they might even… respect me. So I do my best to be impartial. I like them all equally, so it’s not even hard.
And anyway, they all bring something unique to the team. Ceela is a trendsetter. She always has big, new ideas. Lucindy is thoughtful and pragmatic, preferring to work behind the scenes. Harlow always plays devil’s advocate, refusing to say any idea is a good one, forcing us to consider every angle of a problem. And Britley is quick to stand next to me, no matter what. Because I am the niece of Matron Bell and I’m the only one who reports to her, so I get the final say in everything. Which really does make me a little bit special, I suppose.
Lucindy is the only one who’s been quiet through all this and it takes me a moment to realize that it’s because she’s not even paying attention to us. She’s looking at a bedroom nook all the way inside the interior rooms, not the one meant for her that is closest to the canal.
I make my way over to her, smiling as I round the corners of hallways and pass through other nooks. “Is this your pick?” I nod my head to the space she’s in, which is just as gorgeously furnished as the others.
“I’m not sure. Look.” Lucindy points up. And when I follow her pointing, I see there is a second level back here.
“Are those more bedrooms?”
Lucindy shrugs. “Not sure. Should we go look?”
I glance over my shoulder, but all the others have gone into their nooks to check them out thoroughly. So I turn back to Lucindy. “Sure. Do you see any stairs?”
There must be several dozen stairwells in this dorm, curving around walls or twisting around landings. But they are all along the canal. Surely there must be a stairwell back here to get us up to the second floor, but the only one we find actually leads down instead.