Page 11 of Moon Claimed
I’d reached my limit.“I can’t do it.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she closed the door. “That’s unfortunate, because you need to get your ass on that stage.”
“I’ve played in the gridtwice. Why the hell would anyone listen to me?”
Why didn’t I go with Timber? Something safe. Something I didn’t need to justify.
I could see it now. A sea of blank faces as they wondered why I’d bitten off the hardest grid out of the gate.
“I fucked up.” I thumped my forehead against the bookshelf ladder.
“You convinced the head team,” Rhona said. “And me.”
Except the anger fuelling me all week had chosen now to disappear. I’d used it all against Sascha Greyson.Mothershitter.
I sank to the floor, shoving my head between my knees. “I’m not doing it. Can you go out and make an excuse? I’m unwell.”
“You can’t be hearing yourself.” She pulled my arms away. “All week, you’ve said we need to be confident and unified. What the hell do you think thismessage will tell our stewards?”
That I sucked. I was past caring.
This was my breaking point.
Gripping my wrists, Rhona clenched her jaw, scanning my face. “Get up.”
I stayed put.
“Get up and put on my clothes,” she said, sighing.
Jerking my head up, I took in her tight black cargos and long-sleeved, fitted top. She had a red cap on that readGo Fork Yourself.
My steel-grey full-length jumpsuit was about as opposite as could be from her outfit.
I rose on trembling legs. “You think it’ll work?”
“No idea. But the tribe needs to see you tonight. And their looks of pity are grinding my gears. You be me. I’ll be you. Win-win. What do I say?”
I rushed through the points of my intended speech, watching her nod at intervals as we switched clothing.
I raked my hair into a ponytail. She pulled hers free.
“You’ll need to say it like me.” I pressed my hands into my cheeks.Shit,this was ballsy, but I just needed to not be me for five seconds.
“I’ve heard you say this stuff at meetings already. Piece of cake.”
Why the hell did Herc name me as heir? Rhona was perfect.
“You better head out first,” she said.
I fixed the red cap on and set a scowl in place. Thinking of Rhona’s expression, I injected some sadness into my eyes and left the manor. Tilting my chin, I strode through the midst of the gathered stewards.
Everyone was in attendance by the looks. Only one representative from each family was required on Tuesday evenings, but I couldn’t condemn their curiosity or their need for reassurance.
People nodded at me, moving out of the way.Crap, what I’d give to be Rhona. The way people looked at her. They respected her ability in Grids. They knewher.
I wanted that so much.
Ignoring their adoration, I moved to the front and stood at ease beside Pascal. She slid me a look, but I didn’t allow my mask to waver.