I tried to tell myself it wasn’t Zoe who said that, not the cousin who told me everything would be all right. With that woman in place, we’d never be able to get close again. What was she to the General, a past lover or a former wife? And whatever did Justina mean? Those words were meant for the General, though, not me. The rest of the evening passed as a series of events I wanted to forget but couldn’t. With Quinn and Cecelia at my side, I was introduced to important people in the military, met other Guild members, and listened to jokes from some Gladiator Ball players. I didn’t know any of them personally, and they acted stiff and cold. What kind of people did things like this all evening? Even worse, all the Second Water Bearers followed their Guild members like obedient sheep. Was this what the poster had boasted of? Leadership comes from honor and pride. When would Cecelia or any of those others show some leadership? Did they feel honor and pride holding a champagne glass or the plate of Guild members who wasted expensive food?
