A/N: I've had this written for a week, but the document manager wouldn't let me download it! I'm surprised it did now. Sorry so short, haven't had time to write. I've been in and out of the hospital with false labor, my daughter's been sick, I'm trying to get Christmas shopping done AND complete four classes! Needless to say I'm swamped with work! Anyway, keep it in mind that I'm about to have a baby if you're wondering why I am not updating as often as I had been. Thanks to all you readers who review and who are patient with waiting! Cheers!
Chapter 19: The Madness of an Hour
Amber watched Slade's boat disappear into the horizon before turning back towards the hotel. She didn't understand why she had insisted on waiting until she couldn't see the boat anymore before leaving . . . the others had said their goodbyes at the hotel. She fought the wave of nausea that washed through her body from watching the churning of the waves and put a hand to her stomach . . . where Jay's baby was growing inside her. With a sigh, Amber choked back a sob, wondering when she would find the courage to tell Jay. Trudy, after her initial shock had worn off, insisted that Amber take advantage of the midwives at the hospital. Amber didn't know how she felt about this.
One reason she didn't want to go was that she was afraid the news of her pregnancy would leak out from the midwives to Iris . . . who might tell Jay. And she wasn't ready for him to know, not just yet. Another reason was that she would feel disgusted with herself for going to the hospital when she had been so vocal about disliking the way Genesis Island was run. Amber brushed back an angry tear, wondering why she had been so stupid. Now that she had had time to think about it, the city was very well run. She still didn't agree with some of the laws, but after careful questioning of several of the hotel's servants, she had learned that punishments were rarely meted out.
Amber turned a corner into another street, smiling back at those who nodded their hellos, when suddenly she bumped into someone coming out of a building. "I . . . I'm sorry!" she cried, and immediately began helping to pick up the numerous packages the person had dropped. She had already gathered up several when she noticed the person wasn't helping her. Amber stood up straight and gasped, her hands clutching at the side of the building to steady herself. The man in front of her stared at her with a cold, hard look in his eyes. "Amber," he said dully. Amber swayed in front of him. "My God," she whispered. "Bray."
At the same time . . .
Iris sat in front of the fireplace in the hotel's library, sipping a glass of wine and reading a novel. She made it a priority to read something for at least an hour or two a day, since doing so drew her away from her troubles for a while. The servants and the Council knew not to bother her during this time unless it was an emergency; therefore she was surprised to hear someone walk up behind her. She turned to see Trudy, Salene, May, and Ellie standing some distance away.
"What is it?" Iris asked, noting the four looked nervous. Trudy nudged Salene forward. "We were wondering . . . if there was anything we could do?" Salene said quickly. Iris looked puzzled. "What do you mean?" she asked. "We are here in the hotel all day," Trudy put in, "and we are getting a bit bored. We were wondering if there was anything we could do . . . you know, for our keep." Iris raised an eyebrow, a bit taken aback. "I thought you might want to wait a while before you decided what it was you wanted to do," she said slowly. "We know it is the law that you have to work for your keep," May told her. "We just think we may as well start now."
Iris raised an eyebrow. "What is it you think you would like to do?" she asked. "I wouldn't mind working in the daycare," Salene said quickly. "That wouldn't be a problem," Iris answered, "since they always need volunteers." "May has been going with Gray to the warehouses," Ellie said with a sly smile at her friend. "They've been working on designing clothing." May blushed hard and crossed her arms, glaring at Ellie. Iris smiled. "So I take it you'd like working with him?" May shrugged. "I didn't know you liked designing clothes, May," Trudy said with a grin. May shrugged again. "I wanted to be a fashion designer before the virus," she said grumpily. Ellie laughed. "You could always work with Gel on that." May glared at her.
"Speaking of Gel," Iris put in, "she isn't the brightest light bulb in the bunch, is she?" "That is the understatement of the century," Ellie laughed. "I was thinking that she, Sammy, and Lottie could benefit from some schooling," Iris mused, tapping her finger on her chin. "What do you think?" The others nodded in agreement. "You would just have to make sure Lottie isn't stealing the supplies," May said soberly. "The kid's a klepto." Iris nodded. "Then that takes care of them. What about you, Trudy?" Trudy smiled. "I would like to work at the hospital," she said. "I would really like to learn about healing, midwifery especially." "That's wonderful, Trudy!" Iris said excitedly. "It's something I've always wanted to learn, but never had the time to."
"Jack and I would like to do something with technology," Ellie chimed in. "Is there anything we can do?" "We can always use someone with technological skills in the electric plant, or figuring out things that would benefit the city," Iris answered. "If Jack is as technologically advanced as I've heard . . ." "He is," Ellie said quickly. "As much as Ram, in my opinion, and Jack would never use what he knows to hurt anyone." "If that is the case, Ellie, then I would like to ask a favor," Iris said, her eyes glinting. "Would you and Jack mind working alongside Ram while he begins his search for your tribe members?" Ellie looked taken aback, but before she could say anything, Iris began to explain. "I don't trust Ram at all," she said. "I am afraid of what he might do . . . or try to do. No one on Genesis Island can compare to him in technological intelligence . . . except Jack." "So you want us to spy on him?" Ellie asked. Iris nodded. "If you will." Ellie nodded. "I hate the guy, can't stand to be around him, but I'll do it. I'm sure Jack will agree. He won't want to risk leaving Ram to his own creepy devices."
"Thank you, Ellie," Iris said with a sigh of relief. "This is something that has been worrying me." "I have a question," May said briskly. "What about Ebony?" Iris chewed her lip. "I wasn't positive as to what I wanted to do with her," she said slowly, "but I have been thinking about asking Malik to take her into the Troops." "You mean give her weapons?" Ellie asked, appalled. Iris shook her head. "Not at first. I've heard Ebony is a good fighter. She would do well in the Troops. And I trust Malik with my life. He will make sure Ebony is well watched." "It's a good idea," Salene said as Ellie shook her head incredulously. "Fighting is what Ebony does best." "What about Lex and Jay?" Trudy asked, a slight expression of pain crossing her face as she mentioned her former lover's name.
"Neither of them have come to me with requests," Iris said. "But I do know that Malik wants someone to be lieutenant of the palace bodyguards. He has been having trouble choosing someone from the Troops. At first, we discussed Ved, but we think that when his baby is born, he will need to spend more time at home. He is also a little young to command so many. I was thinking of putting Jay forward for the job. He seems . . . right for the job." "He was one of Ram's head generals, along with Ram's wife, Java," Trudy said quietly. "Jay has plenty of experience leading and training men." Iris' eyebrow rose. "Really? Then I will definitely talk to Malik about it. As for Lex . . . I have no idea what he would like to do."