Justice Buried
By Hilary Thompson
Amazon | Goodreads
The people need Justice, but she’s not listening.
One hundred years before, the Great Sickness reduced the world to three cities. Now the community of Asphodel is trapped underground, waiting for the prophesied maiden of Justice to return and save them from their Fates.
Sixteen-year-old Astrea is supposed to be this savior – too bad for them she isn’t a believer. Trea fights against her false destiny: she rebels against her family and friends, then refuses her arranged marriage to the charming but deceitful Lexan. Learning her life is in danger, Trea is forced to trust Lexan – until she discovers a power she never knew she had, and one he already knew he did.
As betrayal closes every door, Trea decides she must submit to her stars and accept her fate. Then a handsome stranger offers her an unexpected escape and the chance to create her own destiny.
Fun Facts
Astrea:
1. In the first draft, Astrea’s name was Estera, which is Spanish for “star.” Astrea still means star, but it’s the Greek version, which I thought was more appropriate, given the use of mythology throughout the series.2. Astrea’s red hair is a good, easy symbol for her fiery nature, but really, I’ve always been in love with red-haired heroines. My first and always favorite is Anne Shirley, from L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.3. Astrea’s family is one of the few families in Asphodel who only have one child - it’s customary to have two or three. But there is a story behind that…4. Astrea gives her teacher, Brenn, a lot of grief. But she would have a really hard time making it through the day without his support. She trusts him and relies on him more than her own parents, because he’s the only adult who seems to give her the truth. He fights for her to know things that her parents want to shield her from.
5. A lot of redheads seem to have striking green or blue eyes, but I chose gray for Astrea, to complete the symbolism of fire and ash.
Character Interview: Astrea
Astrea was asked these questions at the beginning of the book, so she won’t give any spoilers.1. If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?I think First Leader Firene could help me understand the prophecy more – why I have all these expectations on me. Even though she died before I was born, I’ve read her published journals, and she just seems so wise. I could never be a leader like that. It’s hard to believe someone like Lexan came from her…even two generations down. I think she would tell me the truth. Not just what I want to hear.2. What is the most important thing in your life?I’m supposed to say friends, or family, or leading, right? But it’s not any of that. The thing I want most, the thing I can never seem to have, is independence. Freedom to make my own choices. Find my own destiny. I know a lot of young people feel like they don’t have power over their lives – I just wish it could be different.3. What is your idea of a good marriage?My parents have a pretty good partnership. At least, I’ve always thought so. But then Mother told me about how Father wasn’t her first choice. And he still loves her anyways. I guess that’s good. They trust each other. They don’t laugh much together, though. I’d want a partnership with trust and love and fun.4. What do you consider your strengths?Everyone says bravery. I guess I’m brave. I see it more as just doing what I think is right, even if it makes someone angry at me. Is that a strength? [Laughs] I guess I’d rather do what’s right than what’s expected. Maybe that’s why Lexan seems so false sometimes – he just wants people to be happy. But sometimes happiness for one person means sorrow for another.5. What is your biggest fear?That the prophecy will somehow be true, after all my resistance. And that I won’t be what they need. I won’t be strong enough. I’m not a savior. I’m just me.6. Where do you live and who do you live with?I live with just Mother and Father. Most families have two or three children, but my parents only have me. It’s their fault. But I’m not supposed to know about what they did.Asphodel is all we’ve ever seen. It’s a natural cave, but it’s all built up inside. In the Common Area and other big spaces, the floors and walls and ceilings are rock. But in our homes, everything is covered over to keep the warmth in. The river running under the city helps us with light and water and electricity. We have lots of room for growing food and there used to be animals, a long time ago. When our population got bigger, they couldn’t keep the animals. So I’ve never seen anything besides people and insects.It’s very advanced and well-planned, actually. In school we learn all about Lakessa and Charles, and how they created this refuge for the people they could save from the Sickness. People thought they were crazy, but they lived, didn’t they?7. If you could be any animal, what would you be?Our books have really nice color drawings of all the animals. But I think I’d want to be able to fly. So, any kind of bird, I guess. Like a falcon or an eagle. Could you imagine? Flying anywhere you want, being able to see everything, but get away from it quickly if you needed to? That would be amazing.Lexan:
1. I feel closest to Lexan’s character. We’re both Libras, so we share a similar view of the world. He struggles with perfectionism, fulfilling others’ expectations, and occasional depression - just like me.
2. Lexan’s name is the only one I actually created, from the random recesses of my brain. All the other names were found by searching on baby name websites!3. Lexan always calls Astrea by “Trea” in his thoughts, but he isn’t yet comfortable using the nickname in person. He feels that they don’t know each other well enough for him to use a nickname.4. Lexan relies on his mother and sister more than anyone else. He’s the baby of the family, but he’s also the head of the family, now that his father is dead and Aitan has married. It’s an interesting combination.5. Lexan’s famous “halfway smile” or “crooked smile” was inspired by Ian Somerhalder’s similar smile - and Somerhalder is actually who I picture for Lexan’s sly older brother, Aitan!
Character Interview: Lexan
Lexan was asked these questions at the end of the book, so there may be a few spoilers in his answers!1. What was it like growing up underground?Living underground was normal to me. We had comfortable homes, a busy schedule, and enough food to stay healthy – although there wasn’t a lot of variety. My favorite part as a kid was being so close to everything. There were always kids to play with and things to do.I never needed or wanted anything different – I was happy as a child. But as I got older, I started to see some of the negative parts of our city. The schedule keeps us so busy we can’t cultivate extra hobbies or passions. The closeness of our homes and shops and social areas means we never have privacy: everything we do is likely seen by someone.And the more I learned about the outside world and our religion, the more impatient I was to be able to see the world outside. Maybe that’s why I never connected with Trea about our Choosing Day – I was so excited to start a new chapter in our lives that I never thought much about the compromises she had to make.2. Do you ever resent your destiny?I think Trea and I will make good partners. I think she has all the fortitude and power she needs inside of her already – she just needs to learn how to believe in herself.But there are other parts of the prophecy that she doesn’t know about yet. Sacrifices I have to make for her. Sacrifices she has to make for everyone. And yes, I do resent those very much. I know that leaders have to give up a lot to help their people, but what she’ll be asked to do just isn’t fair. Her sacrifice, and mine, will overturn the scales of balance.3. What is your favorite thing about Trea?She doesn’t back down. She calls people out. It’s infuriating, but I know it’s her inner sense of justice. But that’s what confuses me about Stian – she never calls him out on the things he’s done. How can she see so much and still be blind?Sorry, that’s not much of an answer. I guess what I love about Trea is the person she’s turning into. Trea has so much potential. She just needs to learn to believe in herself the way others do. The way I do.4. What is the most important thing you learned in school?The things I thought were important have turned out not to be – like our supposed history. Lies. And the things I wasn’t worried about now seem so vital. Like our short book lessons on starting fires and solar energy and plants and animals and weather. Weather! There’s no weather in a cave. I had no idea how to keep my feet dry, or how to keep from getting sunburned. The people of Asphodel are so unprepared for life outside.5. What is your favorite food?I’ve always loved golden apples – they’re so sweet and crunchy. But I have to admit, my new favorite is Madna’s bacon! We don’t have any animals in Asphodel, so I had never tried meat. The deer and rabbit were all right, but that bacon was pure happiness. I could eat it for every meal. [Laughs]6. What was it like to go outside for the first time?Almost indescribable. It lived up to every dream I had. The night sky was mesmerizing. I thought that once Trea saw the stars, the moon, and the sun, she would believe. But she didn’t.Sorry, that was off topic. Outside is so different, I hardly know where to start. There are so many colors – shades of blue and green and brown, plus all the bright colors in the flowers and animals. The smells are almost overwhelming – especially after it rains. Everything is such a constant contrast. Nights are cool. Days are warm. Rain and sun make the air feel different. In the cave, everything was the same. All the time.7. Do you believe in astrology? Or do you think that people make their own destiny?This is complicated. Of course, as a trained minister, I absolutely believe in the astrology and prophecies of our people. But I ‘ve also seen people make choices that try to go against their personal star charts, or that try to preempt the prophecies. I think that there is a balance between human free will and the horoscope and prophecy. I think we can make our own destiny to an extent, but certain major personality traits and events in our lives are set, and we can’t change those even if we try.Excerpt 1: Justice Buried
This excerpt shows the main character, Astrea, selecting her gown for the upcoming Choosing Day ceremony, where she is expected to choose Lexan as her future husband. However, for Astrea, the ceremony will also be the first public step of fulfilling the prophecy which her city has been waiting for a hundred years to see.
I like this part especially because it shows Astrea moving from vulnerable and unsure of herself, to powerful and brave. I hope you enjoy!
- Hilary
I hang back from the other girls, but the shopkeeper has been watching me as I run my fingers along each dress, reluctant to commit any to the changing room. I’m hesitant to see my plain reflection next to Isa’s curves and Garna’s elegance. She waves everyone away and takes my shoulders gently.
“Let me find your dress. You should look like the star, shooting from heaven,” she tells me quietly, kindly, her eyes lingering on my diamonds. Her subtle admiration gives me pause – in the midst of all my preparation for the worst, I have failed to remember the hope my Choosing Day means for the people of Asphodel.
We are an underground people. People who worship the sun, moon, and stars, yet have never seen such things ourselves. My partnership with Lexan allows the prophecy to begin. The star-bright maiden and her scales of justice.
I am – without asking, without wanting – a savior of Asphodel.
The impending reality of this thought sends me to my knees on the floor of the small changing room. I never wanted this. I’m not even seventeen. I can’t run a city…I can’t even manage my own small life. How can they expect this of me?
Then I realize that this is precisely why Keirna is angry – in her mind, we do not need a child savior. Surely there are others who feel this way as well, some who are certain Asphodel does not need a revolution, no matter what the ancient prophecy requires.
A knock on the door. A bundle of red fabric passed hand over hand. A click of the latch. And I’m alone with my destiny.
I open the door and peek out, shy but strangely proud. Several girls are grouped at the edge of the mirror, chatting and giggling. Isa sees my face first.
“Well, come on out, silly! I want to see you in that dress!”
Hesitantly, I open the door a bit further. Isa’s enormous smile lends me the courage I need to emerge, and the girls’ squeals and spontaneous claps prompt me to look in the mirror.
The dress is exquisite. Brilliant veins of orange and red flow around me, catching the true fiery pigments of my hair. The light fabric envelops my body, showing off muscles I have recently developed and curves I never knew existed. A lower skirt of ash gray, sewn with thousands of tiny crystals, swirls beneath the ribbons of sheer red fabric, sparkling in competition with the diamonds in my cheek and lighting up my dark gray eyes. The neckline is low enough to cause me embarrassment, and the back dips as well, held in place by a dozen thin strands of crystal.
I am...beautiful, somehow. I was made for this dress.
I look powerful. Vivacious. I could twirl and combust and consume everyone if I desired.
These two excerpts show a scene first from Astrea’s point of view (Justice Buried), then from Lexan’s point of view (Lexan’s Pledge). They have been arguing, and the argument continues in public, while dancing.Excerpt 2: Justice Buried and Lexan’s Pledge
I love these scenes so much because both characters are right, and both are wrong. Seeing the events from each viewpoint allows a rare moment for the reader, when you get to make up your own mind about who Astrea and Lexan really are. I hope you enjoy!
- Hilary
Astrea:
My feet are swollen in their slippers, and strands of hair cling to my neck. As I sparsely listen to Pallis and his friends, I glimpse Lexan on the dance floor, holding a different girl each song. Every one of them looks a bit star-struck, relaxing in his arms. I’m only struck only with an overpowering annoyance.
Isa is right – he does take me for granted.
I wonder what the people think of their chosen couple – if they notice how he ignores me and I despise him. My cheeks flush, angry with new energy. He rounds near me, and I block his path.
“May I?” I ask the girl, but glare at Lexan.
He barely falters as he seizes my waist and hauls me into the crowd. I’m flustered by his enthusiasm, until I notice his eyes. Sparking. And his lips, pressed into whiteness.
“What exactly are you doing?” He nearly spits at me.
Until this second, I haven’t realized Brenn is training my mind as well, teaching control over my fiery reactions. I force a calm I do not feel.
“I didn’t expect you to be jealous of my dancing. After all, you-”
“I’m not talking about Pallis, you idiot!”
I stop dancing, my hands trembling to sting his sneer away. “Excuse me?”
He only pushes my resistance aside, easily forcing me back into the rhythm of the music. He leans closer, his breath hot and fierce in my ear. “Why would you ever challenge Keirna? Has Brenn taught you nothing?”
We are on the other side of the room from Isa now, and I see her grinning at me. She probably thinks we are playing nicely, and that she is to thank for it. I’m disgusted with myself for even trying to talk with Lexan. He can go to Hades.
Then it registers that he knows about my training with Brenn. I swallow my fire.
“I just asked her a question. People do that.”
“Not with Keirna. Aitan says nobody questions her. Ever. She’ll ruin your life, Astrea.”
“No, Lexan, you will ruin my life,” I say, shoving him away roughly. I cannot handle another lecture today.
Lexan:
A few times I spot Trea giving Pallis the time of his life. And a few times she sees me watching and glares.
She must care about something. What in Hades is it? Then a realization breaks through and I forget to dance for a second. The girl in my arms blinks up at me, startled, but I just smile halfway and shrug, stepping back into the rhythm.
She cared about the woman, and the punishment. Was that because the punishment was too strenuous for the crime - it wasn’t just? Perhaps the fallen star inside her memory calls for justice like the one inside me calls for balance?
Maybe she’ll talk to me if I do something to balance the injustice of the shopkeeper’s plight. But that hope flees as soon as it came: anything I could try would be viewed as a direct attack on Keirna’s authority. And therefore punishable.
Trea will be lucky if she avoids any sort of retaliation from Keirna after questioning her in public. Anger begins to wind through my body as I think about how little she cares for her own safety - and therefore for Asphodel’s future. If she can remember the fallen star she once was, then she’s trying everything to deny who she really is.
She isn’t a believer, and that suddenly makes me furious with a raging sort of despair. Who cares if she doesn’t get a choice in this nightmare - none of us do. My father didn’t have a choice. My mother didn’t have a choice. Firene didn’t have a choice.
Trea isn’t as special as she thinks she is.
Suddenly the girl in my arms stops short, tripping over her feet, and I realize Trea is standing in front of us, blocking our progress.
“May I?” Trea directs the question to the girl, but she’s glaring at me.
My own anger is now so strong I can barely see, and I don’t waste a second before hauling her amongst the dancing couples, even though my body takes the time to notice how small she feels against me. She seems a little unsure of herself - an emotion that she’s obviously uncomfortable with.
But that doesn’t make me feel bad for her. Whatever charm I brought with me tonight is summarily gone.
“What exactly are you doing?” I bite out the words.
I see the rage pass over her face, but then she masters it and answers me calmly. Which only makes me more furious.
“I didn’t expect you to be jealous of my dancing. After all, you-”
“I’m not talking about Pallis, you idiot!”
She stops dancing, and I see her hands trembling slightly. “Excuse me?”
I put on my asshole half-smile and force her back into the rhythm of the music. The crowd is loud tonight, but I lean closer to her ear so no-one can hear us.
“Why would you ever challenge Keirna? Has Brenn taught you nothing?”
“I just asked her a question. People do that.” Her tone is flippant.
“Not with Keirna. Aitan says nobody questions her. Ever. She’ll ruin your life, Astrea.”
“No, Lexan, you will ruin my life,” she says then, and I’m not sure what hurts more: the jagged edge of her voice or her soft, rough hands pushing my body away from hers.
I stand alone on the dance floor, watching her take Pallis’s hand and try to pull him into a dance. He laughs and says something I can’t hear. My body feels abruptly drained and wilted. I don’t even feel like I could make it home right now without leaning on someone.
Excerpt 3: Justice Buried
This scene shows us more about First Leader Keirna - the main villain in the series now. She corners Astrea in an empty classroom and proceeds to alternately try to intimidate Astrea and coax her into friendship.
I love how the two strong women interact here, as well as the realizations both characters have about the other. I hope you enjoy!
- Hilary
I take my seat, my stomach pulling against itself, shrinking from the quiet room. My fears are given a reality when the door closes with a click, and First Leader Keirna stands before me, her arms folded tightly over her chest.
“Good morning, Astrea. After seeing your recent struggle with the subject of ethics, I thought today would be a good day for a little chat.”
“Where is Leader Augus?” I ask before thinking.
Her eyes narrow. “Don’t worry about Augus. He will be here momentarily.” Keirna comes to stand before my table and leans over it, her hands planted before me. Our eyes are level, and she stares directly at me. At first, I meet her gaze, wanting to show her that I’m not afraid, even though she wants me to be. But I feel as though she is combing through the layers of my soul. Something in her gaze sickens me, and I break the connection, though it’s difficult to look away.
Keirna laughs shortly. “You just may be a little too smart for your own good, my young Arien.” Abruptly she sits at the table next to mine, a student’s table, and crosses her legs, facing me. This is enough of a surprise that I raise my head again – why wouldn’t she sit at the teacher’s desk, the seat of authority?
“Let me tell you a story, Astrea. When I was your age, perhaps a few years younger, I was of course being groomed for the position of First Leader. Just like you, I was interested in the vocation, but frustrated that it was being forced on me.”
I glance at her, curious despite myself.
“Don’t you feel that way now? Ariens don’t like to be told what to do.” She laughs, but it is a cruel sound. “But First Leader Firene was very old, and there was even some idle gossip that she would not live long enough for me to complete my training. So I was pushed along quickly in my Vocation Studies. Two of the other leaders began to work with me in earnest. We met after classes were over and they taught me many of the things I would normally have learned during my Internship with Firene. Leader Leonus and Leader Goren were my first real mentors. They showed me a whole different side to First Leader. They even guided my selection of Saloman.”
I think briefly of Head Minister Saloman. Could they have used the star charts to predict that her partner would one day head our ministry? There must be more than coincidence that Lakessa, then Keirna, would partner with future Head Ministers. Uneasily, I think of Lexan, sitting right now in his own training for the ministry.
“Tell me, Astrea, have you enjoyed your teachings so far, or have they merely bored you?”
I am taken in enough by her question to stammer an honest answer. “Well, I’m not really learning anything I haven’t had before.” Except for my work with Brenn.
“What if I told you there was much more to being First Leader? A part to the vocation that would thrill you each day, make you leap from your bed in anticipation?”
Dream Cast
This casting isn’t necessarily about who I would pay to play in my movie, but rather who I picture in my head when I’m imagining a scene. Having a distinct face in mind helps me visualize how the characters would look and sound as they react to the events and people around them.
Astrea (Ah-stray-uh)
Sophie Turner. Totally stealing this idea from blogger (LINK) because I had never found a real person to be Astrea. I had a mental image, though, and this actress is spot-on. The brilliant hair, the feisty side-glance, the angry, innocent beauty. The main difference is Astrea has grey eyes, like smoke.
Lexan (Lex-ehn)
Douglas Booth. Such a pretty, pretty boy. Even without the Boy George makeup.He should really have blondish hair for a perfect Lexan, but those eyes? Perfection.
Stian (Sty-ehn)
Jake Gyllenhaal, when he’s a little bit laughy and a lot bitscruffy.
First Leader Keirna
(Keer-nah)
Lucy Liu. She’s great at funny, but I think she could easily pull off what Kate Winslet does in Divergent – the switch-flip between caring leader and psychotic visionary. (I’m remembering Kill Bill!) The haircut, jacket, and slightly imperious smile in this pic are how I usually visualize Keirna too
Lexan's Pledge
[A Starbright Secrets Novella]
Author's Note: this is not a full-length sequel to Justice Buried. It is a short novella telling Lexan's side of the story!
There will come three…
A child of peace, born in a place of war.
A child of right, born in a place of many wrongs.
A child of lawfulness, born in a place with no laws.The secrets of Asphodel continue to spill as Lexan tells his side of the story. Lexan has been pretending for so long that he barely remembers why. All he knows is that it’s getting harder to be the image of perfection that everyone expects. With Keirna plotting murder, Saloman having visions, and Trea throwing tantrums, Lexan just might be ready to risk his world for the chance at a better one. Available now on Amazon!
About the Author
Hilary Thompson is an independently-published author who released her debut Young Adult novel, Justice Buried, in January, 2014. Justice Buried is the first in a dystopian fantasy series incorporating mythology and astrology, with the second full-length title due later in 2014.
She also teaches high school English, which gives her some insight into her target audience, and helps her maintain a thick skin.
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