Fearless by Marianne Curley Page B

pointed shoe into his gut.
    â€˜As you will come to see, the souls here are an oppressed species. They have hardly any rights, and that pair of angels are his owners, giving them licence to discipline where and whenever they choose.’
    Two Throne soldiers fly over and talk to the pair of thugs. Heads nod and the thugs calm down.
    I’m surprised to notice a few angels looking at the thugs with barely concealed disgust, yet many more are disappointed the fight is over.
    Anger ignites inside me at the injustice. Only the soldiers on duty could act. Other angels who didn’t like what they saw were clearly frightened or not allowed to interfere.
    A red haze forms at the edges of my vision. I take a calming breath. When I use my powers again, it won’t be in uncontrolled rage. ‘If I could fly,’ I mutter under my breath, ‘I would wing myself over there and … well, I’m not sure what I’d do, but it would be something that would wipe the smirks off that angel couple’s perfect faces.’
    I feel Mela staring at me and turn my face from the window to her.
    â€˜You would do that for a soul?’
    â€˜Yeah, of course.’
    â€˜What if an angel were getting beaten by a soul?’
    That there’s bullying in Skade, with Luca as king, is no surprise. But it’s wrong no matter who is doing the bullying or who is on the receiving end. Mela is still waiting for my answer. ‘It would make no difference to me.’
    She hugs me, though I’m not sure why. I ask, ‘How does it work here? I mean, when a soul arrives, what happens?’
    â€˜They stand before the king for judgement. He hands down their sentence, where and who they will serve, and for how long. Some end up in a faraway province, others remain here in Odisha. This can depend on the skills they came here with, whether an angel has a need for those skills or simply wants labour for their farm, their business or a maid for their home.’
    â€˜OK, so the souls who live in the city are what?’
    â€˜The lucky ones.’
    Not exactly what I meant. ‘That man did not look too lucky to me.’
    â€˜City souls get to live in proper housing, have food in their bellies, warmth, clothes, may even find companionship if the household is soul-tolerant or appreciative of the skills they bring.’
    â€˜And they get to enjoy the occasional beating.’
    â€˜Only by their owners.’
    â€˜Ah, well, that makes it all right then.’
    She doesn’t miss my sarcasm. ‘It’s the law.’
    â€˜Are you telling me there’s a law that encourages the torture of human souls?’
    â€˜Laws can be changed.’ She eyes me carefully. ‘It would take a strong angel in a high position, someone brave enough to stand up to –’
    â€˜The king.’
    When I next glance at the square it’s from the bedroom after I’ve had breakfast, a bath and Mela has combed and trimmed my wet tangled hair. Thousands more have gathered, and I stare as they keep filling the streets.
    As I watch the crowds I start to notice things, like how souls feel the cold much more than angels. They hold coats, jackets and even blankets tightly around themselves, while the taller, bigger-built angels wear suits and stylish dresses with flowing cloaks and fancy hats. It could be a day at the races, except it’s not horses they’ve come to see.
    It’s me. All those people, to see me.
    A shiver runs down my spine as my thoughts shift to what’s to come. My bottom lip trembles, as it does sometimes, and Mela catches sight of it. Compassion sweeps into her eyes. She leans towards me and says softly, ‘Ebony, you have a choice, and you need to make it soon.’
    â€˜Escape is the only choice on my agenda.’
    She looks at me sadly.
    â€˜What? Am I supposed to just accept what’s happening to me? My natural instincts wouldn’t allow it.’
    Leaning closer,