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Lana?” His tone is acidic, but his gaze is like molten fire as he takes me in. His eyes lock on mine. I stand stock still in fear. He must sense my otherness so I make a bold move.
    I extend my hand and let my voice take on a pleasing note.
    “I am Emma, Finn. I am pleased to meet you.” I let a huge grin spread across my face, my new favorite trick. I giggle exactly how Lana does. I feel Lana’s hand on my arm, holding me back or telling me to stop. Finn runs a hand over his mouth, then looks behind him to the other darklings. I drop my extended hand. He turns back and looks over my body once more. I realize then he has not even glanced Lana’s way once. Lana starts breathing and finally answers him.
    “She isn’t gone yet, Finn.” I am offended she already outs me as different to the male darkling. For reasons unbeknownst, I want to know what he thinks of me without the prejudices I now know come along with my flawed being. Finn staggers back a few steps but does not speak. Lana, sensing Finn’s unease continues.
    “She is in control…she still feels.” I like that she omits the emotions I feel. I focus my gaze on his stomach. His muscles flex as he breathes in and out. It pleases me. He watches me watching him…I feel his eyes on me. I study his face and notice his jaw clenching.
    “You’re wrong about one thing, Lana. She is gone . She’s not staying here. She can’t. There isn’t enough room in this circle for her. If you want her to live, get her ready to go to the next circle over. I don’t want to see her again,” Finn says with finality in his voice. I look to Lana to gauge her reaction to see what my reaction should be. She is shocked with his words. I let my mouth gape open.
    “What’s your deal, Finn?” Lana barks. He finally tears his gaze from me and looks at Lana for the first time. He shakes his head subtly and his forehead wrinkles in confusion. He peeks at me once more out of the corner of his eye.
    He looks back at Lana, but speaks to me, “I said get out of my sight.” I shrug my shoulders, a very human gesture, and leave them behind as I meander down to the crowd to find Bec.
    I hear Finn and Lana’s voices rise when I walk away. I tune them out as is respectful, but I hear a snippet of Lana’s words.
    “…she’s not going anywhere. I saw how you looked at her and that is your problem. Not mine and definitely not hers.”
    Although I do not understand the undercurrent of her words I know that Lana is my very first friend.

Chapter Five
    January 11, Night
    “You should have seen it, Bec. He was all hot and bothered—looking at Emma like she was the only woman left on earth. It was ridiculously weird. I’ve never seen him like that.” Bec and Lana sit on a bed with their legs crossed beneath them chattering away. I sit in front of a mirrored piece of glass pulling a brush through my hair. With each stroke my blond color returns, the ash floating away.
    “What did she say to him?” Bec asks.
    “She introduced herself in that robotic way…except she laughed. It almost sounded real, too. Good job with that, Emma. It may have saved your life.” I smile at her when I see her glance at my reflection. “It gives me an idea. We should give her acting lessons! We could have her drive Finn absolutely mad with a few lessons on seductive glances.” Both girls laugh so loudly that it causes me to turn and smile at them. My humanness may almost be gone, but I have lived with a human for the last eighteen years. I know of human notions. But I want to learn more.
    “Lessons are a good idea,” I tell them, hopeful I can glean any information that will help me blend in better. Lana crosses the room and kneels in front of me.
    “I bet it’s the eyes and hair,” Lana says as she admires a few of my strands between her fingers alternating her gaze to my eyes. I hate that my hair makes me different. “Do this,” Lana says as she places her pointer finger on her bottom lip to draw