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I jiggle the pouch that was given to me and hear metal clanking inside. It must have money to get me by. War must have sent this for me.

Emotion surges, but I step into the orphanage before I get distracted and robbed blind.

"What is this commotion?" Lady Hope steps into the first hall, where I wait. In her arms is a sleeping infant.

Her eyes widen with surprise. She's an older, short woman with round hips that makes her skirts dance when she walks. I've never hugged her, but she looks like the kind of woman with an embrace that can melt the toughest criminal.

Her eyes are a rare violet, and they look more tired than usual. "You are..."

"I'm Joan. Hello, Lady Hope. It's great to see you again."

She nods. "Yes, Joan. How have you been?"

I shift my bag over my shoulder, its weight seeming to double.

"I've been fair. I just finished serving at the forefront."

That's a lie. It's more like I ran away from Camp.

"Ah, under The General? Is he as striking as people say he is?"

My chest aches when she mentions War.

"I only saw him from afar," I lie.

"I see. Please, come in." She leads me to the playroom that is empty since the kids are in bed. I take a seat and set my bag down.

"Hold this little one for me, please."

I open my arms, having carried many babies when I worked here. I like the little ones the best. They don't look at me funny, and they react to my playfulness as if I were one of their own.

Lady Hope picks up a few scattered toys. "I hope you're here for work. One of the girls quit and now my staff can't seem to keep up with this place. I just received that baby today. He is a cute little thing, but needs constant supervision. I know we had to let you go last time because the kids feared you. That was a mistake. I'm glad you stumbled back in here."

Excitement sparks in me. "I would love to work here again. I just need room and board."

"Of course. Go wash up in your old room. You start first thing in the morning."

I smile down at the baby, whose eyes have creaked open. He yawns and blinks his innocent eyes at me. I can't help but kiss his soft forehead.

"Here, I will take him." Lady Hope places the last toy back in place and takes the baby.

I pick up my bag and go find my old room. It's a closet, but it's cool and private. It's better than any corner in the streets.

Over the next three days, Lady Hope assigns me jobs here and there. I stay away from the kids, except for when I have to look after a baby for some hours.

I'm grateful for the distraction. There are no men in the orphanage, only little boys. No soldiers or adult males are around to remind me of War with their sculptured bodies, but I still struggle to forget him. Memories sit on my chest when I'm in bed at night, sore from all the lifting and bending. My body asks for relief, and the pitiful orgasms my finger and grinding on the sheets offer aren't enough.

I'm fully healed now. My body knows this, and it wants to do more than work during days and sleep at nights.

The coins War sent me are safely hidden behind a brick in the wall of my closet. It's a handsome amount. The glittering pieces of metal make me feel like a paid whore.

I keep the money hidden for a rainy day, having no need for it now since I have food and shelter. I hope I never have to spend it, because I know it will make me feel filthy.

"Joan, a moment please," Lady calls for me.

I fold one last blanket and meet her in the brick hall.

"What do you need?"

"I'm sure you are getting tired of these repetitive jobs, so I thought of something more exciting for you. Did you hear about The Ice?"

Of course I've heard of The Ice. It's a genetic illness that affects children, making some of their limbs stop developing. There are a few in the orphanage with limps because their legs aren't developing properly, or with crippled arms.

"I have."

She clasps her hands together. "It's awful. I have eight little ones struggling with the condition. They get picked on a lot. I need your help."

My eyes widen. I'm no therapist.

"I know you've gone through a lot for looking different. How would you like to oversee these children? You can teach them bravery, coping mechanisms, play gamed with them." She grins. "I can think of no better teacher than you."

I hesitate. "I don't know... it's an immense responsibility. I only get along with infants."

"These kids are compassionate. They'll love you! You can start after lunch. Teach them about confidence and lift their spirits."

How can I do that when I barely have any confidence in myself?

"Alright," I reply. "I'll do it." This will be good. It's my chance to make my mark on this planet.

"Great! Oh, by the way, a man was looking for you today."

"A man?" I grip my skirts so tightly that my knuckles crack. "What was his name?"

"He didn't say, but he was a Master. Tall and scary looking. I've never seen such a fierce one."

My heart stutters. "What did he say?"

"That he would return tonight to speak with you."

War is looking for me? Are my toxic, secret hopes that he's coming for me getting fulfilled?

Conflict stirs in me. It's too soon to run back to his side. The war is still raging. He has to focus on leading camp, and I have to focus on leading these despaired children.

Should I meet him?

If he wanted to, he could have barged in here and hunted me down, but he's giving me a choice by relaying a message.

"Thank you," I tell Lady, and then I get back to work. I decide to meet the kids the tomorrow and focus on cleaning for today. It still feels like I'm disobeying War whenever I scrub a plate clean, which is silly. He's no longer my boss. Well, at least not in title. He'll forever be the boss of my body.

"Joan!" Lady calls for me. "The Master is here for you."

I set the vase I'm polishing down before I break it, and anxiously rub my hands on my stained A-line dress. My hair is tossed in a bun, and I run my hands through it, too.

I go to the entrance with what remains of my heart at my throat. I'm walking forward, but I'm undoing all the progress I've done this week. I shouldn't be seeing this man. We shouldn't come together so soon.

"War," I whisper as I think of him.

I turn the corner and regard powerful man standing in the hall.

"L... Leuitenant Vrint?"

This isn't War. This is a different powerful Master.

Being in the very room with Vrint makes me feel like I'm wronging my General because I saw how interested Vrint is in me. He can't be here for any platonic business.

How did he find me?

He stands in full battle gear and two Masters behind him. I drop my gaze to his chest to break eye-contact, where he has dozens of small daggers draped across it.

My skin crawls with alarm. I don't feel safe. I don't feel right.


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