The Firelight Incident

A scream ripped through the night.

I woke with a start, Murphy's knife still clutched in my hand.

I threw the tent flap aside.

Figures crowded around the fire, shouting.

"Don't—stop it!" Clarke's voice cut through the chaos.

Bellamy ran ahead of me.

By the time I reached the fire, Murphy had a girl half-dangling over the flames.

"What the hell is going on?" My voice came out low, sharp.

Murphy yanked the girl back upright but didn't let go.

"She was stealing," he snapped. "What little food we've got."

I folded my arms and looked at Bellamy, a small, cold smile tugging at my lips.

"Your call, boss."

Bellamy stepped forward. "What's your name?"

"P-Pernille Kol," she stammered.

He nodded once. "Then you hunt with us tomorrow. See where food actually comes from. And if you steal again—" his voice hardened "—I take your hand."

I couldn't help the grin that slipped out.

Fair. Brutal. Bellamy.

Clarke came to my side, voice tight. "Katerina, it can't keep going like this."

"Like what?" I asked.

"Threatening people to agree with you."

I turned to face her fully.

"I'm not threatening anyone. They choose to follow. But tell me, princess—would it be better to let her steal from everyone? On the Ark, she'd have been floated. Some of us here can confirm that."

I flicked my eyes to Murphy, then back to Clarke.

"I spent eight years in prison because of your mother."

And before she could answer, I shoved her once.

Her gasp was drowned by laughter from the crowd.

"What's wrong, princess? Not used to pushback?"

Another shove. More laughter.

"Hey, stop it!" Finn's voice barked behind her.

I glanced at him, then at Clarke again.

"Well, look at that. You've finally got a man around you again."

I walked away before she could reply