Intermix Nation Read Free

son. They scolded Nazirah for not living up to her
potential, for not trying to do more. But Nazirah was young and
rebellious, and didn’t want to live by anyone else’s rules.
    After she refused several advances from one
of Rafu’s Lords, Riva and her teachings were exposed to the Medis.
They warned her to stop. She didn’t listen.
    The Medis came in the night. They heard of
the growing rebellion and needed a scapegoat. Needed to set an
example to keep the rest in check. They blamed Riva and, by
extension, Kasimir.
    The rest is history.
    Of course Nazirah agrees with the rebels!
But she has already been through so much. She has already lost so
much.
    What Nazirah really wants is to take her
brother and Cato and run. Run as far away from the Medis and the
rebellion and the threat of war as she can. But she doesn’t know
where they would go. And she doesn’t think they would make it very
far. And she knows the other two wouldn’t come. Cato, maybe, could
be convinced. But not Nikolaus. And Nazirah would never leave
without him. He is the only family she has left.
    So Nazirah will stay.
    But she won’t like it.
    “Irri, snap out of it.” Cato waves his hand
in front of her face. “I could be having a more exciting
conversation with these carrots. In fact, I think I am.”
    “Sorry, Cato,” Nazirah says
guiltily, intent on giving him her full attention this time.
“You’re right … it is a who that’s bothering me.”
    She and Cato met in school, although Nazirah
was only ever allowed inside the annex. She was five, he was six.
One afternoon, some Eridian bullies cornered her outside. Cato
defended her, even though the boys were older and bigger. By the
end of the day, Nazirah and Cato had matching black eyes and their
friendship was forever solidified. Cato is closer to her than
Nazirah’s biological brother.
    “And that person would be?”
    “Captain Jerkoff, who else?” She sighs
dramatically.
    “He’s Captain Jerkoff this week, is he?”
Cato snorts. “How original. And does Captain Jerkoff know that’s
how his sister lovingly refers to him?”
    “I don’t know,” Nazirah
says. “Probably.” She watches as some fellow recruits enter the
mess hall. “ Commander Jerkoff is more appropriate. I haven’t seen him enough to ask
which name he prefers.”
    It’s true. Her brother has been practically
nonexistent in Nazirah’s life for years. Nikolaus was always the
golden child of the family, the one who grew off Riva’s teachings
to become a political activist and rebel. He is five years older
than Nazirah, and at twenty-three has accomplished more than most
intermix do in their lives, becoming the youngest commander of the
entire rebellion.
    “Irri, he’s grieving in his own way,” Cato
reminds her gently. “Just give him some time. He’ll come
around.”
    Nazirah eyes him skeptically. Cato has known
Nikolaus practically his entire life. They both know Nikolaus isn’t
just grieving. “We don’t exactly … mesh,” she grumbles. “And now
I’ve been summoned to meet with him regarding a ‘matter of extreme
importance.’ I’m supposed to go to his office tonight after
Territory History.”
    Although Nazirah wants nothing to do with
the rebellion, part of the agreement for her staying at the
compound is that she trains and learns with the other recruits. All
recruits endure an intense series of classes and combat training
before they are officially initiated into the rebellion. Nikolaus
told her it would look like he was playing favorites if she didn’t
join them.
    Nazirah hates combat training and weapons
education, and is bored out of her mind during Territory History.
But she does enjoy meeting other intermix and refugees.
Headquarters thrives with a diversity Nazirah never imagined
before. It makes her heart ache, because she wishes her parents
could experience it too.
    “The ‘matter of extreme importance,’ Irri,
is probably that you never go to Territory History.”
    “I