𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭

4

Blood.

So miniscule I might've been imagining it.

"-my apologies, I am suffering through a minor cold. We are working to establish a new patrol..."

I tuned him out as I stared at the blood on his face. Minor cold? Colds don't make you cough up blood! I couldn't help but be suspicious, even though I kept telling myself over and over it was wrong to doubt your leaders. Why is he lying?

Sandra squeezed my hand. "Maia! He's going to announce the Offering from East Division!"

"An irregular occurrence happened during East Division's selection, which is why I am making a specialized message for you," he paused, raising a brow, and cleared his throat. "As your beloved Chairman Drae searched for the best candidate, he realized there was not one, but two possible candidates. Neither I, nor any of the other Chairmen could narrow them down," the governor began.

Sandra let out a choked gasp. "What? Two Offerings from East Division?"

"So we have no choice than to submit six Offerings. We hope this will delay the Tempests for another few hours," Governor Mason smiled.

Chatter rose up from the audience, but the white- haired man shushed everyone, listening intently. He appeared to not have known about the news either.

"Your Offerings from East Division are..."

Sandra clenched my hand so hard I that my fingertips turned blue. She had a good chance of being an Offering, but was I ready to lose her?

"Your official Offering is... Azura Raymond," the governor paused, allowing a cheer to bubble up from the crowd. "And our first ever Sixth Offering is..." he took a dramatic pause, and my heat hammered against my ribcage like the Tempests against the boarder wall.

 "...Maia McKnight."