Page 2 of Phoenix's Fire

"It might make me more appealing to the girls," Mr. Galloway replied. "I've been turned down twice now. My first wife has been dead for three years, and I have yet to find a lady willing to accept my proposal, sirs."

"Then look at the widows," Mr. Saunders grumbled. "We are not in need of gatherers, Mr. Galloway, and you are not strong enough to serve as a hunter. Denied!"

The man dropped his head and shuffled back, but now was my time. Shoving to my feet, I banged into the chair in front of me, causing the man in it to grunt. I lifted a hand in apology, then stumbled a little more, making my way to the aisle.

There, I hurried forward, aware all eyes were on me. Dear God, I hated this, but it was necessary. That man had just given me the opening I needed, so I couldn't dawdle. I had to do this now, and get this right!

"Sirs," I mumbled, clasping my hands before me. No, on second thought, I should clasp them behind me, showing my size. "I would like to formally ask the Council of Elders for permission to court Callah Atwood."

My heart was pounding against my ribs. My skin felt too cold - almost like it was tingling or tightening. I could hear my breath rasping against the inside of my ears. Everyone in the room was now looking at me, and I was too damned big to hide anywhere. Instead, I lifted my chin a little more.

"Isn't that…" Mr. Becker asked.

Mr. Morgan nodded. "Mhm. The roommate."

"Tobias Warren?" Beside them, Reynold Saunders turned his acidic gaze on me. "Are you not a child of a quarantined woman?"

"I am, sir," I said, wondering if I should sound like an idiot now, or just keep it simple.

He replied before I got the chance to decide. "And Miss Atwood is also from a mother in quarantine?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but it was too dry to make a sound. Swallowing desperately, I just nodded, hoping that would be enough.

"Mr. Warren, are you not worried about the risk to your children?" Mr. Carter asked. "Both of your mothers have been corrupted by the Devil. What would you do if your children were possessed because of the pairing?"

"Have I not proven myself?" I asked. "I carry all the bags I'm told to. I bring back as much as two men. If you need me to do more, sirs, then list it. I will gladly serve the Righteous. I just..."

"What?" Mr. Saunders demanded. "Spit it out, boy!"

"Callah's really pretty," I mumbled. "And she doesn't think I'm dumb."

That made a man at the side laugh. A few more in the crowd behind me chuckled as well, but not as obviously. I could feel my face heating up, but I wouldn't back down now. This was my one and only chance. If they refused me…

Mr. Morgan leaned closer to Mr. Saunders and lowered his voice, but I still heard him say, "No one else would risk the girl. Not after the last one."

"That's a good point," Mr. Becker agreed.

Along the table, the men began to nod, but Reynold Saunders refused to take his eyes off me. "Tell me, Mr. Warren," he drawled. "Are you willing to join the hunters in order to prove yourself?"

"Yes, sir!" I said quickly. "I'd be happy to, sir. I wanted to be a hunter when I was a boy, but I didn't make it. I got put with the gatherers instead." And I smiled. A big one. "You'd let me be a hunter too?"

A few of the elders nodded, showing their agreement, but I'd already set the hook. By saying "too," I'd put it in their minds that theywouldlet me court Callah. A sacrifice for a reward. It made sense, and from the sounds of it, these men were already wary of Callah.

But that was okay. If no one else wanted her, then it would only make this easier. If Ayla's banishment had cast suspicions on Callah, then this should be even easier. All I needed was for them to agree to it.

Surprisingly, it was Mr. Myers who leaned forward. "Then you should report to Mr. Peterson for a team assignment, Mr. Warren. Now when does Miss Atwood turn?"

"November," I said. "She'll be twenty early in the month."

"Then you still have time to persuade her," Mr. Myers assured me. "The Council gives you permission to try. We will have you added to her list." He lifted ahand. "And Mr. Galloway? It looks like thereisa spot available with the gatherers now. This means double shifts at this time. Are you still interested?"

"Yes, sir!" Mr. Galloway called from the back of the room.

"Then you should report to the head of the gatherers. Now, do we have anything else?" Silence met the question. "Meeting adjourned!" The gavel cracked on the table again.

I stayed where I was for a moment longer. I had permission to court Callah. We'd be allowed to walk together without a chaperone. It meant time to talk to her with no ears trying to listen in.

Most importantly, it meant a chance to have an honest conversation about what we both knew, because somewhere out there, the Phoenix was waiting. Unfortunately, so was the Wyvern, and I was now about to become their enemy.