Free For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund Page B

sang through her nerves, making her hair stand on end and sending ribbons of heat over the gooseflesh on her arms.
    “No, you’re not like the Norths,” he continued. “They’re obsessed with their position, with the old ways. But there are too many Posts like me now, and more born every day. The world isn’t the same place we grew up in, where the Luddites make the rules and we all have to abide by them. Look at their estate. It’s falling apart. They’ll be left behind.”
    “Tatiana can be a little snobby, yes,” said Olivia. “But don’t tar Elliot with that brush. You should see her and my brother talking about how they’d like to improve their farms. Fortunately, my brother has the means to actually implement the improvements.”
    “Your brother and Elliot are close?” Kai asked.
    Now it was Olivia’s turn to laugh. “Not like that. They’re friends. We’ve been good friends with the Norths for the past three years, ever since we lost our father. Horatio and Elliot love to talk about their crops. Elliot’s the only one of her family that seems very interested in the subject, in case you haven’t noticed.”
    “I have noticed that the Norths do not seem as interested in their property as they might be.”
    “She tries her hardest,” Olivia said defensively. “And if Horatio ever did take an interest in a woman, I wouldn’t mind if it was Elliot North.”
    “Perhaps you don’t know her as well as you think,” said Kai.
    Elliot caught her breath.
    “I’ve known her for years,” Olivia argued. “I doubt your opinion of a person can change after so many years.”
    There was a pause before Kai spoke again. “I envy you that innocence, Olivia. But people can be deceptive. I hope you never learn what that is like. I grew up on an estate, and I spent four years in a Post enclave, and the only people who have never lied to me are the Innovations. Even my father—though I don’t blame him. He was trapped by the world he was born into.”
    Elliot bit her lip to hold back the sob that rose in her throat.
    “How horrible,” said Olivia. “Well, I’m not like that. I was born a Luddite, but I see a future that includes us all.”
    “You’re unique among your caste then,” Kai replied. “But do not trust the Norths. Any of them.”
    “Elliot?” Horatio came upon her so quickly, she almost jumped out of her skin. He held a lantern in his hand. “Have you seen my sister?”
    She blinked in the sudden brightness of the lantern. Now she knew where she was—another whisper zone. This one was marked off by a blue stone.
    “I think she’s . . . just down here.” She pointed ahead of her and Horatio widened the aperture on the lantern to shine ahead. Sure enough, about ten meters away, Olivia and Kai stood close together near another blue stone. Olivia was squinting into the light. But Kai stared back at them, his black eyes steady and focused on Elliot, his mouth drawn into a tight line. And, as she watched, he reached out his hand and placed it on the blue stone.
    How he’d known she was standing there, Elliot couldn’t guess. But he’d meant her to hear every word.

F OUR Y EARS A GO
     
    Dear Kai,
    I can’t come to the barn tonight. Tatiana is becoming suspicious. Ever since she took over the household duties, she’s been acting like she can tell me what to do as well.
    Yours,
    Elliot
        
     
    Dear Elliot,
    Of course she does. She knows your mother isn’t here to protect you anymore. But you know what the solution is: stay out of her way.
    Stay here.
    Stay with me.
    Yours,
    Kai
        
     
    Dear Kai,
    I only wish I could. But my mother isn’t here to do quite a lot of things anymore. So I’ll have to settle for imagining I’m with you.
    My father wants to tear down the apple grove. He says it obstructs his view to the sea. He wants us to buy all our apples in the future, but I doubt Mr. Grove will give us a good deal, given that my father hasn’t spoken to him in