19 YEARS AGO: ONE YEAR BEFORE THE YEAR OF THE CULLING
HELENA
“Greetings.”
Helena screamed, the book falling for her hand to land facedown on the floor.
“Oh dear,” He started, bending down and retrieving the book, before snapping it shut and stretching it out to her. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
The first time she heard his voice, Helena had been utterly mesmerized.
It felt like liquid honey, every syllable well rounded to a deep rumbling sound of perfection.
Commander had laughed at her when she told him before assuring her that she was not the first and neither would she be the last to find themselves almost spell bound by the man’s voice.
There was something alive about the way he spoke.
His was the voice of a leader, one who cared about you and wanted only the
