Sound of Sirens: (Tales of Skylge #1) by Jen Minkman

stirs my hair and makes the flame flicker. I can’t stay too long or I’ll be washed away by the sea – the waters are already rising. But I needed to get out of the house and away from all the shocking revelations floating through the air and my mind. I’ve always felt that our world wasn’t entirely fair as it was, but I never dared to dream that it might be changed – that we stand a chance of turning things around for ourselves.
    Could I live to see a day in which I’d be allowed to befriend a Current guy? Show my dad the island in an electric car? Listen to my favorite music without being punished?
    I play my old records and close my eyes for a while, wishing for time to speed up and life to change around me as though I were an old, gnarly tree seeing the years flash by in the blink of an eye. So I can escape the Sadness and fast-forward to a bright future.
    But then I push those melancholy thoughts aside. I want to be a part of this change. I want to join the fight, in my own, small way, and I know exactly how to do it.
    I am not going to give up my secret friendship with Royce.

12.
    T he next morning we all sleep in. By the time I get up, the albatross is nowhere to be found near the house. It probably gave up on me today. I smile to myself in the mirror as I get dressed in my cobalt blue, short-sleeved blouse and flared black pants. It might be a bit too cold outside to wear short sleeves, but I don’t care. I want to look different than usual.
    I touch some lip gloss to my lips and accentuate my brown eyes with a bit of dark-green eyeliner and mascara. Then, I braid my dark hair and stick little white flowers into the end. As a finishing touch, I spray on some rose perfume. And all the while, I am humming a Jyoti tune, trying to deny that I’m sort of wondering whether Royce will like the way I look. Thinking back to our strange and awkward goodbye two nights ago makes my stomach lurch a little bit.
    “Wow, don’t you look dashing today!” Sytse exclaims when I step into the kitchen. “All tarted up for the Oorol opening, are you?”
    I grin amicably. “Only happens once a year, so I’ve gone all out.”
    “Go big or go home,” Sytse agrees with an even wider grin. “What do you think of my new suit?”
    The neat brown jacket and pants turn him into a different person, too. “It looks good on you,” I reply. “You almost look like...”
    I stop. To look like a Current is a thing some people aim for – even if they’re not willing to admit it – but I’m sure Sytse aspires to no such thing.
    “Like a married man,” I finish lamely. “You know, all grown up and stuff.”
    He smiles faintly. “Not ready to tie the knot just yet,” he replies softly. “If I marry someone, I’d like for her to build a life with me in a world without injustice and discrimination.”
    “Yeah, I get that.” A little bit subdued, I walk over to the counter and turn on the stove to fry some eggs and sausages for breakfast. There’s still some smoked mackerel left from last night, so I dump some of that on my plate too. By the time Dad comes out in his best suit, the kitchen is filled with mouth-watering smells of food and sweet herbal tea.
    “So, are you going to tell the Skelta that it was me who stole his book?” I inquire a bit anxiously once we’re all sitting down for breakfast.
    Sytse shakes his head. “I’ll tell him Alke borrowed it and it was a misunderstanding. I don’t want you involved.”
    My mouth drops open. “Alke?” I manage to utter.
    He shrugs. “Yeah. He’s a part of our organization, too. I trust you can keep that secret.”
    Well, that explains the flustered look on Alke’s face when I mentioned Twarres to him. “Of course.”
    “And I expect you to stay away from that Bolton guy from now on,” Sytse continues, his face darkening. “The arrogant prick. Lording his wealth over you by letting you use his LP player. If anything, he should be thankful to you .”
    I register