Riva, highly educated until marriage, had strongly encouraged Nikolaus and Nazirah’s own schooling. They were homeschooled until Riva became fed up with their constant bickering and lack of supplies. Through several called-in favors and black market deals, Riva bribed some affluent Eridians and procured a small annex to one of the poorer schools in Rafu. In one room, Riva taught dozens of intermix students, including her own two children. She never asked for any money in return; she knew no one could afford it.
Nazirah shamefully remembers her first day of class, looking in disgust at her starving, lice-ridden, and shoeless peers. She remembers how fiercely her mother scolded her afterwards for judging them. Nazirah’s parents were smart, able-bodied, and resourceful. Nazirah herself was only a first generation intermix. Most were not so fortunate.
Riva taught her intermix students the alphabet and arithmetic. But, more importantly, she taught them justice. The pillars of her classroom were peace and love and self-worth. She advocated equality and fighting for what you stood for, especially in the face of opposition.
Once Nikolaus graduated, he joined the small but energetic rebellion in Krush. The rebels were intermix and territory-born refugees, and Riva and Kasimir were immensely proud of their son. They scolded Nazirah for not living up to her potential, for not trying to do more. But Nazirah was young and rebellious, and didn’t want to live by anyone else’s rules.
After she refused several advances from one of Rafu’s Lords, Riva and her teachings were exposed to the Medis. They warned her to stop. She didn’t listen.
The Medis came in the night. They heard of the growing rebellion and needed a scapegoat. Needed to set an example to keep the rest in check. They blamed Riva and, by extension, Kasimir.
The rest is history.
Of course Nazirah agrees with the rebels! But she has already been through so much. She has already lost so much.
What Nazirah really wants is to take her brother and Cato and run. Run as far away from the Medis and the rebellion and the threat of war as she can. But she doesn’t know where they would go. And she doesn’t think they would make it very far. And she knows the other two wouldn’t come. Cato, maybe, could be convinced. But not Nikolaus. And Nazirah would never leave without him. He is the only family she has left.
So Nazirah will stay.
But she won’t like it.
“Irri, snap out of it.” Cato waves his hand in front of her face. “I could be having a more exciting conversation with these carrots. In fact, I think I am.”
“Sorry, Cato,” Nazirah says guiltily, intent on giving him her full attention this time. “You’re right … it is a who that’s bothering me.”
She and Cato met in school, although Nazirah was only ever allowed inside the annex. She was five, he was six. One afternoon, some Eridian bullies cornered her outside. Cato defended her, even though the boys were older and bigger. By the end of the day, Nazirah and Cato had matching black eyes and their friendship was forever solidified. Cato is closer to her than Nazirah’s biological brother.
“And that person would be?”
“Captain Jerkoff, who else?” She sighs dramatically.
“He’s Captain Jerkoff this week, is he?” Cato snorts. “How original. And does Captain Jerkoff know that’s how his sister lovingly refers to him?”
“I don’t know,” Nazirah says. “Probably.” She watches as some fellow recruits enter the mess hall. “Commander Jerkoff is more appropriate. I haven’t seen him enough to ask which name he prefers.”
It’s true. Her brother has been practically nonexistent in Nazirah’s life for years. Nikolaus was always the golden child of the family, the one who grew off Riva’s teachings to become a political activist and rebel. He is five years older than Nazirah, and at twenty-three has accomplished more than most intermix do in their lives, becoming the youngest commander of the entire rebellion.
“Irri, he’s grieving in his own way,” Cato reminds her gently. “Just give him some time. He’ll come around.”
Nazirah eyes him skeptically. Cato has known Nikolaus practically his entire life. They both know Nikolaus isn’t just grieving. “We don’t exactly … mesh,” she grumbles. “And now I’ve been summoned to meet with him regarding a ‘matter of extreme importance.’ I’m supposed to go to his office tonight after Territory History.”
Although Nazirah wants nothing to do with the rebellion, part of the agreement for her staying at the compound is that she trains and learns with the other recruits. All recruits endure an intense series of classes and combat training before they are officially initiated into the rebellion. Nikolaus told her it would look like he was playing favorites if she didn’t join them.
Nazirah hates combat training and weapons education, and is bored out of her mind during Territory History. But she does enjoy meeting other intermix and refugees. Headquarters thrives with a diversity Nazirah never imagined before. It makes her heart ache, because she wishes her parents could experience it too.
“The ‘matter of extreme importance,’ Irri, is probably that you never go to Territory History.”
“I haven’t seen him in weeks!” Nazirah rants, ignoring Cato. “He didn’t even ask me in person! He sent Sergeant Patch to tell me.”
“Sergeant … Patch?”
“I don’t know his real name, Cato, obviously.” Nazirah throws up her hands. “It’s Nikolaus’s lackey strategist. You know,” Nazirah gestures conspicuously to her face, “the guy with the eye patch.”
Cato’s expression is a mixture of amusement and reproach. “You call him Patch?”
“Not to his face.”
“It’s actually Aldrik.” Lumi Grigori sits down gracefully across from Cato. She tosses her long golden hair over one shoulder, an effortless motion that Nazirah thinks must be practiced. Lumi is tall and leggy, with paper-white skin and icy blue eyes. She’s a prime example of pure Ziman blood. Her frosty personality fits her well. Nazirah is about to tell Lumi exactly where she can go, but Cato shoots her a sideways look and kicks her under the table.
“Thanks, Lu,” he says.
Cato is a true Eridian gentleman. He is always nice to everyone – not because he has to be, but because he wants to be.
Nazirah mimics Cato in her sweetest tone. “Yeah, thanks Lu.”
“Of course, Cato,” Lumi says, ignoring Nazirah. She flashes Cato a toothy smile, flicking her hair to her other shoulder. Nazirah inwardly groans. It’s painfully obvious that Lumi has a thing for him. But since Cato is the densest boy on the planet, Nazirah will have to deal with Lumi’s self-aggrandizing, preening mating rituals until he gets the point.
Lumi is the eldest of three snowy Grigori daughters. Her mother died in childbirth, when Lumi’s youngest sister, Yuki, was born. Yuki is now twelve, Aneira fifteen, and Lumi eighteen. Her father was once the most powerful Lord in Zima. Lumi was raised like royalty in a stone manor overlooking the icy mountains of the North, and wanted for nothing her entire life.
A few months ago, civil unrest erupted throughout Zima. Lumi’s uncle, her father’s younger brother, took it as an opportunity to stake his claim over the Grigori land. With Medi soldiers backing him, he attempted to assassinate Lumi’s family. A close confidante tipped them off in the nick of time and the Grigoris fled. They left all of their possessions behind and traveled as far south as possible to Eridies. Lumi’s father enlisted in the rebellion, in return for the insurgents’ help restoring his power after the war.
On one hand, Nazirah sympathizes with Lumi and her loss. On the other hand, she wants to reach into Lumi’s throat and rip out her vocal cords.
“Anyway,” Nazirah says, returning to their previous line of conversation, “Aldrik cornered me today, demanding that I go see Nikolaus.”