Free The Scourge by A.G. Henley Page A

I’ve been looking down ever since, hoping to figure it out.”
    “What was her name?” I ask.
    “Blaze, and it fit her well. She had red-blonde hair, like tendrils of flames. She was beautiful.”
    “And brave, from the sound of it.”
    “Maybe even reckless.”
    I shake my head. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if Aloe had suddenly disappeared.”
    “You’re close to her, then?”
    “I thought I was, but now I don’t know. Things have been different between us since the Scourge came.”
    “How so?”
    I shrug. “She hasn’t been talking to me. It seems like she’s distancing herself–”
    “Right when you need her most.”
    I nod, gratified that Peree understands how I’m feeling. I’m angry. Angry at the Council for punishing me in front of the whole community, and angry at Aloe for going along with it without even talking to me. Ever since she joined the Three I feel like I don’t know her at all. “Peree, do you know who my natural parents are? I thought someone might remember when I was born, because of my Sightlessness.”
    “I don’t know . . . you’re about seventeen?” I nod in answer. “That’s what Shrike said. I would have been pretty young when you were given up.”
    “Is Shrike your father?” I ask. “I thought he might be when we first met. He sounded so proud of you.”
    “He just wanted credit for his coaching abilities,” Peree says, his voice warm again. “He’s impressed with you. He thinks you’ll be a strong, reliable Water Bearer, like Aloe. Others agree.”
    I flush at the compliment. “I’m not sure my people have so much faith in me.” My voice drops. “I’m not sure I have that much faith in myself. When do you think the Scourge will go?”
    “I wish I knew. It can’t be much longer though, can it? Speaking of the creatures, let me see the bite.” I offer my arm to him. He unwraps the bandage and moves closer to look at it with only the illumination of the moon. “How does it feel?”
    “It still aches, but not bad. Why do you think I didn’t change?”
    “Because you’re protected? Because it didn’t break the skin? I don’t know, and I don’t care. I’m just glad I don’t need this anymore.” I hear him sheath a knife that I didn’t know he had. The sound is chilling. He rewraps my arm. “So, why did you ask me about the fleshies’ hair?”
    I fidget with the worn hem of my dress, reluctant to tell him what I heard.
    “What is it, Fenn? What happened down there?”
    “You’ll think I’m crazy.”
    “I won’t. Tell me.” He leans closer. That succulent, honeysuckle smell again.
    The words tumble out. “I thought I heard one of them speak to me. She asked me for help. It sounded like the partner of the man you shot.”
    He whistles softly. “Are you sure? Could you have misheard?”
    “Maybe.” I draw my knees up under my dress, hugging them to my body. We always thought someone couldn’t change back, once they began to change. But what if that was Rose I heard? Could we have saved her? Does it take longer to change than we think? Does that mean there’s still a chance I could change? I touch my arm.
    “Will you tell Aloe?” Peree asks. I’m not sure if he means about Rose, or the bite.
    “I don’t know. I don’t know what any of it means yet.” And I don’t know if I can trust Aloe anymore. I’m ashamed by the thought. Of course I can still trust her. Can’t I?
    “Our Councils will need to know if you hear anything like that again. It might mean something’s changing with the Scourge.”
    I rest my chin on my knees and rub my eyes. They’re even grittier now.
    “You should sleep,” he says. “Would you like me to tell you a story? A bedtime story?”
    I smile, and slide down to lie on my side, resting my head on my good arm. “What animal will it be this time? You said you’d tell me about the sheep.”
    He laughs. “I have a different story in mind. This was one of my mother’s favorites. Have you