The Girl From Ortec: An Omnibus Page 7

  “What?”

  “She wanted to,” she quickly assured me. “He wouldn't stop crying, so we figured he must have been hungry. Such a set of lungs.” She tried to smile, but it just missed her eyes.

  “So he's … healthy?”

  “Yeah, so far.”

  “And,” I swallowed past the tightness in my throat, “he looks normal?”

  “Yes,” she nodded again, “ten toes, ten fingers. The usual.”

  “I was afraid they had already thrown him over the watch tower,” I admitted in a low voice.

  Sasha clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, making me lower my head. “They won't do that,” she half-scolded.

  How could she be sure?

  Chapter 20

  I only looked up when the door opened again, this time admitting Doctor Gourini, who looked haggard and uncomfortable. I quickly shifted my eyes away.

  “The baby is alive and sleeping at the moment,” he announced boldly.

  I nodded without looking up.

  “Remove her blanket.” It took me a moment to realize he wasn't talking to me.

  I had thought Sasha only came in to tell me about the baby, but in reality, it was so the doctor could check in on me. Heat flooded my face when Sasha pulled the thin blanket down past my knees. I was only wearing a gown that didn't come close to covering enough.

  “Does it hurt when I press here?” he asked as he jammed two fingers into my lower stomach ... hard.

  I flinched, but shook my head.

  “And here?”

  I shook my head again.

  “You seem to be healing fine, despite your irresponsible actions these past months.” He glared down at me, his lips set in a thin, straight line.

  Biting hard on my trembling lip, I kept my eyes on my hands that rested loosely on my stomach. Of course he was angry, why wouldn't he be? I had spent the only time we knew each other trying my best to lie to him.

  I had lied to everyone to save the baby. I didn't blame him for his harsh glare, not one little bit.

  “You'll need rest to get your strength back,” he said loudly. “We don't have anyone free to look after you, so you'll have to manage on your own.”

  He looked once at Sasha but didn't say anything else.

  He was almost to the door when he turned to face me again. “I don't need to tell you what a shock this has come to us all,” he began in a solemn voice; it was a tone he often used. In a field of work where life and death were a daily crisis, I supposed the tone fit.

  “Most of us anyway.” His eyes slid sideways to accuse Sasha. “I've informed Avery, of course.”

  I expected that, so my heart stayed in its place.

  “He has requested you to come to the throne room.”

  The throne room? I knew I would have to talk to the leaders of Ortec—I would have to beg their forgiveness—but I thought I would go to the blood red office that was Avery's. The throne room … what did that mean?

  “There's a lot of questions,” Doctor Gourini said, trying to explain away the panic that must have shown on my face. “You just have to be honest ... and maybe things will still work out. I've given my opinion on the matter.” He snapped his lips shut as if he'd already said too much and regretted it.

  I had to clamp down hard on my desire to ask him what he had said. What did he tell Avery? To let me stay or to send a lying woman and her unwanted child away?

  The doctor looked again to Sasha. “You'll help her up.”

  “Yes.” She nodded.

  “Make her look presentable, then she's to go right down.”

  “So soon?”

  “Immediately.”

  With a final look to me, the doctor left the room.

  “I hope I didn't get you in trouble,” I whispered as soon as the door closed behind him.

  With a clumsy pat on the back of my hand, she smiled broadly. “You didn't.”

  “What will they say to me?” I asked in a small voice.

  “I'm not sure,” she admitted with a frown. “It’s hard to tell with the doctor. He always has the same expression on his face.”

  It was true, I agreed silently.

  “He checked over your baby just as if he were any other baby, though.” She bit down lightly on her bottom lip.

  “That's a relief,” I murmured.

  “He's firm, but he's a decent man … the doctor.” She pulled the blanket the rest of the way off my legs as she talked.

  “Do you think he told them to send me away?” I tried to sound brave, but mostly failed.

  “It's a possibility.”

  I raised my hands above my head when prompted so Sasha could peel off the night gown someone else had put on me.

  “I wouldn't have expected him to say anything.” She ran a wet cloth down the length of one of my arms, across my chest, and down the other. “But since he did, I would guess that he spoke up in your favor.”

  “Why would he do that?” I held still as a clean shirt was pulled down past my head.

  “He sees how hard you work. Even though you lied,” I flinched at her words, “you never shied away from your duties and you somehow still managed to deliver a healthy baby.” She pulled me to a sitting position, and then helped me stand up so I could step into clean pants.

  I stood on shaking legs, staring with eyes that were too wide at the back of the door. Was I ready? How could I be?

  I wasn't ready at all. My entire life had been spent trying to be as invisible as possible. It had never worked, of course. Sid had found me, despite my determination not to be found. And now, just months after being given a second chance at life, I was in trouble again.

  However, this was big—maybe bigger than anything there'd been on Ortec—bigger than when the lawman married a fifteen-year-old village girl. Maybe even bigger than when Avery and Constantina's oldest daughter fell from the watch tower last year. They hadn't been able to recover her body from the unforgiving waters to have a proper funeral.

  Was this bigger? It was for me. I’d barely even known Ruth Anne.

  “Ready?” Sasha asked after smoothing my hair as best she could.

  “No.”

  “You know your way to the throne room?”

  “Yes.”

  “Go then. I’ll wait with the baby for you to get back.”

  I nodded quickly and shuffled forward. This was it.

  Chapter 21

  Puffing my cheeks out to their full extent, I slowly released my breath through barely opened lips. It wasn't a sigh, not really. More of just a gathering of courage before opening that door.

  They were all standing just beyond that door. Waiting to accuse me and punish me for my shame. My hand passed over my now flat stomach. They wouldn't see it there, but they didn't need to. The doctor had already told them everything they needed to know to condemn me. I couldn't even find it in myself to blame them.

  If I wasn't careful, I might start crying again. I couldn't do that, not now. With one hand pressed against my chest, I used the other to push open the heavy doors.

  It shouldn't have shocked me to see all of those faces turn toward me at the same time, but it did. My steps faltered, almost sending me backwards the few feet I had managed to make.

  “You may sit there,” Avery stated, directing my attention to a lone chair.

  It was too far away; I would never make it that far without collapsing. I was determined to look like I was strong enough to handle a baby without a father, but I hadn't expected this many people.

  I had expected Avery and Constantina—even Shelia and Jodi—the population control were understandable. But why were the traders there, and even the baker and his wife? It looked like not only the entire council had come, but also the entire population of the mainland.

  I shuffled over to the chair Avery had indicated, directly in the middle of the crowded room. My heart was going crazy again, making strange staccato noises in my ears. I was almost sure I wouldn't be able to hear anything else
over that steady beat, but I was quickly proven wrong.

  “Rani, servant of Ortec,” Avery's voice boomed over the din of whispered conversation, all of which died immediately, “you have given birth to a son.”

  Hearing the words out loud from someone like Avery made me cower lower in my seat. Clamping my lips tightly together, I had to catch myself from falling out completely.

  A general murmur of whispers had broken out amongst the people watching. Again, could things possibly get any worse?

  “Do you admit your guilt?”

  I kept my head down. Surely, he didn't really need me to answer that. How could I possibly deny it after what had just happened?

  “You will verbally answer all questions asked of you today,” Constantina snapped. It was the first time I could ever remember her saying anything directly to me.

  “Yes,” I half mumbled, “I admit it.”

  The whispers grew louder.

  “Doctor Gourini has told us about the birth,” Avery needlessly informed me.

  That wasn't a question, so I probably didn't need to say anything.

  “He also told us how you hid your pregnancy.” I winced with a grimace. “You've lied to us all in order to save the baby that should have never been.” My heart struggled to stay beating.

  “What did you hope to happen once you were discovered?” Constantina asked in a highly offended voice.

  “I hoped to be able to stay on Ortec.” My voice cracked, pathetic and unimpressive.

  “Do you understand what population control is?”

  I nodded, but then remembered her earlier demand. “Yes, I know what they are.”

  “I'm not referring to the officers we've placed in charge of this crucial aspect of the island cities survival.” I watched as her nostrils flared. “Do you understand why population control is important?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “The islands aren't big enough to support an uncontrolled population,” I recited dutifully.

  “Exactly,” she sneered.

  “This is quite an unusual situation,” Shelia spoke from two seats away, wringing her hands furiously. “We were against you being on the reserves from the start. And now this.”

  “How did you go about hiding the pregnancy?” Jodi asked.

  “I wore layers.” Sasha's suggestion had seemed the perfect answer in the beginning, now it just filled me with shame.

  “I think the better question would be,” Constantina called out, “why did you hide it? Why didn't you come forward when you first realized the situation you were in?”

  “I ... I didn't want to be thrown from the watch tower. And I was afraid the baby would be killed.”

  At my words, the whispers started fresh all over again. I had just admitted what they already guessed; I had known about the baby and still lied to protect it.

  “Do you know what I find odd?” Constantina tucked her chin close to her very long neck. I turned my head to her again.

  “No.” I wasn't sure if I was supposed to answer that question, especially when her eyes widened dangerously.

  “The baby,” she said slowly, eyes returning to normal. “Your baby, he is what I find odd.”

  I stayed silent, hoping for a better explanation.

  “Everyone on Ortec has the same coloring.” Her eyes narrowed. “Brown hair and brown eyes. Although they may vary in lightness and darkness, we are all the same.”

  Earth dwellers, that's what the bartermen called us. We worked so close with the land—with the earth—that we had started to resemble it. All browns, even the clothes we wore, were brown. There was no color on Ortec.

  My own honey colored tones were light enough to cause a few whispers behind hands when I first came to the council building as the wife of the lawman. Still, I was one of them and there were others on Four with almost the same color. We were all the same, just as Constantina had said.

  “Can you tell me then, Rani, servant of Ortec, why does your baby have white-blond hair and green eyes?”

  Several gasps around the room matched my own.

  Chapter 22

  I let out another small breath, fighting an internal battle over telling the truth or following Nanny Grace's advice. She had told me to let everyone think the baby was Sid's; they would all assume that was the truth, anyway. Therefore, all I had to do was stay silent and let them think what they wanted to.

  The baby was blond, though, with green eyes ... I hadn't seen him yet, but I could already see those eyes. They had to be the same ones that haunted many of my nights. How could I lie now?

  “The baby,” I began quietly. The whole room held its breath, waiting. “The baby's father is not Sid.”

  I would have gladly rushed forward to give the explanation, but such an explosion of shock roared up, that I wouldn't have been heard. It was several minutes before any single voice could be heard.

  “Who is the father?” Constantina demanded loudly.

  “I don't know,” I replied honestly.

  “Speak plainly,” she snapped.

  “It was a pirate.” Her head jerked back slightly. “The night they came here ... he took me into one of the shops.”

  I let my words fall to a close. Would she make me tell everything? Would just that much be enough for her to figure out what else happened?

  “You ... you should have ...” She stared down at me, the disgust plain on her small features.

  I knew all the things I should have done, but didn't. There wasn't any way I could change what happened, even if I wanted to. Would being sorry for it all be enough?

  “I didn't mean for any of this to happen.” My eyes closed, but no tears came. I wouldn't be able to cry at a time like this. I needed to be heard … needed them to let me stay on Ortec. Of course I wouldn't start crying. “I should have told him.”

  “Told him what?” I didn't look up to see who asked.

  “I should have told the pirate I was on the reserves, that I had the reversal injection. This was my fault.” I kept my face hidden. Just enough hair had grown back to fan out and cover the shame I didn't want them to see.

  Regardless, I would do what I had to—even beg—for the life of the baby. He didn't have anyone except me. And I didn't have anyone except him.

  “I know that I have done wrong, but please don't send me away.” Desperation warped my voice. “Ortec is my home, please let me stay.” I raised my head to look briefly at Avery.

  “You really think you'll be allowed to stay on Ortec?” Constantina's eyes went wide again. “After what you have told us?”

  “I won't lie again,” I vowed.

  “The damage has already been done,” she said, puffing her bony chest out slightly.

  “We won't be any trouble,” I continued desperately. There wasn't much left to lose anyway. “I'll work hard.”

  “I don't think any other city will take you,” she continued as if I hadn't spoken. “And we don't want a bad relationship with the nation.” My eyes slid closed as I realized what she was saying. “There's not much choice here. You'll be sent to the America's.”

  “It hasn't been decided if she will leave,” I heard a deep voice state.

  “She can't be allowed to stay here,” Constantina almost shouted in her fury. “Not with a pirate for a son.”

  “He's not a pirate,” I heard the voice defend him. “He's only a baby.” I didn't dare look up.

  “With a pirate father,” she spit the words out. “He'll grow up to be the same.”

  I wanted to shake my head, to deny her words, but I wasn't brave enough. I stared hard at the floor.

  “The boy’s mother,” my defender continued, “is not a pirate. She's just a girl from Ortec.”

  “A girl who has spent the last nine months lying to everyone and protecting a child that should never have been allowed to live.” There was a murmur of sound at Constantina's words, but whether they agreed with her or not I couldn't be sure.

  “Even
still, Constantina, leader of Ortec,” argued the man, “she is very young. This young girl has had to endure hardships already, which are higher than most of us will ever face throughout our entire lives. I feel we must forgive her for not acting in a way we would like, when we ourselves cannot possibly understand her struggles.”

  I looked up then, to see my defender. Shock loosened the muscles around my mouth at the sight of Doctor Gourini. I hadn't noticed him before, and I had never heard him like this. Sasha had been right. My heart swelled.

  “Shona's baby died,” Shelia added quietly, “and Veronica's died last year. We have room for him.”

  I sucked in my breath and held it there.

  “No,” Constantina raised one hand, “I cannot allow—”

  “Rani, servant of Ortec, will stay on Ortec,” Avery stated firmly, effectively cutting her off.

  “What?” Constantina stuttered. “You haven't thought this through. What if—”

  “Do you take responsibility for the boy?” Avery cut her off again, addressing me.

  “I do.” I nodded once.

  “Then you agree, should the boy grow and show the same villainous traits as his father, you yourself will leave Ortec with him?”

  “I do,” I repeated without hesitation.

  “Very well,” he inclined his head slightly, “Rani and her child will remain here and Rani will continue working for Doctor Gourini.” The two men exchanged a glance and the doctor nodded his head slightly.

  Like most things so far had been, this wasn't what I expected. Women with children didn't remain servants in the council building; they usually returned home, even if they didn't have a husband. Avery's next words explained his decision, though.

  “We'll be able to keep a close eye on the son of Rani while he remains in the council building. This way, if he becomes a threat to Ortec, he won't be running free in the village.”

  “This is a bad idea,” Constantina insisted. “The girl has already admitted fault. She should be sent away.” Her eyes burned through me, filling me with quiet and making my heart beat hard against my chest.

  She was wrong. The baby wouldn't grow up to be wicked. He wouldn't.