Compis: Five Tribes Read Free

stage.
    ~~~~~
    Nikka ended up next to May, with Luka close behind, his hand clutching hers so hard the veins stood out. Alea was further ahead in the line, but she glanced back at Nikka with a smile. She looked forward to getting to know the Ignis girl better.
    She stood on the stage, palms sweating, waiting for her cue, as the Divinaris chanted solemnly behind her. Her breath came fast as the spell neared its end, and she raised her arms along with the other Initiates. As each person down the line was changed, she found herself searching the crowd for her father's face. He was down in front. He had probably gotten there early for a good spot, unlike the young man who was muscling his way to the front over on right. He was an Ignis, based on his clothing, and as tall as Alea, with the same aristocratic bearing. She wondered if he was related to Alea.
    She started at the applause, and realized she'd been staring and missed the end of the ceremony. Nikka turned and followed the others backstage and fell into the large gabbling group of them. She talked with the others for a few minutes and then noticed the tall man picking his way through the crowd toward Alea. They hugged and he said something to her. Alea laughed and grabbed his sleeve, then both of them glanced her way.
    Caught, she blushed and moved her gaze back to May.
    “What?” May asked.
    “Nothing,” she said.
    “Is it that man looking at you?” she said, peering around Nikka's shoulder. “He's quite handsome.”
    “Stop looking,” Nikka said. “He's Ignis, in case you haven't noticed.”
    “Hmmm... well, you could be the first person in of years to be Ignis after Initiation.”
    “Not likely,” she said. “Come on, let's see if we can go find our fathers.”
     
Luka
     
    He was caught up in the smell of her, holding her close, face nuzzled into her neck. Her hair brushed his cheek and he blew a short breath to get it out of his face.
    “Mmmm...” she sighed, sliding her arms up his back. “Do we have to leave?”
    “May,” Luka chided, pulling away to plant a soft kiss on her lips. “You know your father will start to look for us soon, if we don't.”
    “I don't care,” she said, leaning into him, kissing his neck.
    He groaned, and pulled her into his arms again, leaning down to kiss her. Their mouths moved against each other, and passion carried them away. She reached her arms up around his neck and pulled him closer, his hands skimmed down her back and locked around her waist.
    The crackle of a branch broke them apart, startled. They both glanced around, guilty, but there was no one there. Luka laughed.
    “I guess that's a sign. We need to get back, May.”
    He walked back toward the inn, grabbing her hand, entwining her fingers in his.
    “Luka, I'm scared,” she said. “What if...”
    “Don't even say it. We'll be in the same tribe. Everyone knows if you love each other enough, you get chosen for the same tribe. I love you, do you love me?” He was teasing her.
    “Don't even say that,” she mimicked, “You know I love you. More than anything.” She stepped close, leaning her head on his shoulder as they walked.
    They walked in the door to the inn, and he let her step in front of him, kissing her on the cheek, then he stepped back and moved around to the courtyard behind the inn. He sat on a bench, brooding.
    Despite what he'd told May, he was not hopeful about the outcome of the Initiation in five days. He would do anything to stay with her, but the ceremony didn't allow a lot of options. Once you were chosen for a tribe, you were stuck. There was no going back from the fate that Iam put in front of you. There was no appeal or council member to go to for a different outcome.
    If he and May got picked for different tribes, they would be separated forever.
    ~~~~~
    He'd known this was coming for many years. Growing up in the Five Tribes didn't leave a lot of room for questions. You learned your reading and sums in school; everything