The Lawless

by Dylan Steel

  “They’ve changed the security protocols a bit since we were last in it, but it still takes four simultaneous inputs. You’ll need to do exactly what I—”

  “I remember.”

  He shot her a sideways glance. “Ok, then.”

  Putting her hands out over the table, she nodded at him. Connor’s lips flattened as he focused on the code in front of him, delving into the system without so much as another glance in her direction to make sure she copied his movements precisely.

  The two of them worked together in silence for several minutes. She was surprised at how easily they fell into their old rhythm—at how comfortable it was to be hacking into the bowels of Eprah and its dirty little secrets once more.

  “Still a couple of rule breakers, aren’t we?” Sage mumbled, pushing over a set of blocks in sync with Connor.

  “Just can’t help ourselves, I guess.” A slight grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as his hands swept over the table. “But I have to admit, I never expected to be doing this with you again.”

  Sage managed a small smile while she mirrored his movements. “I’m just glad I know where you stand now.”

  He puffed out a quick breath that sounded almost like a snort. “Same here.” He hesitated. “You know, I wondered about you sometimes, but for a long time, I wasn’t really sure.”

  “Me neither,” she said quietly.

  His eyes flicked to her for just a moment before returning to the tech, the only indication that he’d heard her at all.

  “Almost there,” he said, then paused. “It’s probably going to take a while to search all the cells.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” She clenched her jaw. “I have to make sure he’s there. He has to be there,” she added softly.

  He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “So you actually care about him, huh?”

  Sage’s neck stiffened. “Yeah,” she said, not taking her eyes off the tech as she mimicked his movements. “Is that so hard to believe?”

  “Not really,” he said wryly. “But it’s gonna kill Nic. He’s been going crazy ever since you were paired. Almost got himself booted as one of the Kunbriat heads.”

  Her eyes darted to his face in surprise. “What? How?”

  “I’m not exactly sure.” Connor casually flicked aside a bug before it could trace back and report their location. “Rumor has it he was looking for some Lawless contraband not that long ago, but who knows if that’s actually true. Everyone’s on edge these days.”

  “Oh.” Sage felt her cheeks grow hot, but she didn’t say anything else. The bracelet she’d asked him for would easily be considered Lawless contraband. His position among the Kunbriat was precarious because of her.

  She wet her lips, pushing down her guilt. Nic may have tried to help her, but he wasn’t her problem anymore. He wasn’t being held prisoner by Mr. Gaztok—wasn’t about to be killed. Weston was.

  Connor’s brow furrowed as he hunched over the table in concentration, running his fingers through the air for the final code. Lights tumbled away, revealing a familiar, bleak containment level.

  “We’re in.”

  “Finally,” she murmured, wasting no time as she started pulling up one room after another, searching for any sign of Weston.

  Connor relaxed a bit, resting his hip against the side of the table. Now that they’d broken through the external security measures, it only took one of them to navigate through the cells.

  “So, what—you’re just gonna waltz in and pull him out of there if you find him?”

  “Clarette will help.”

  “Well, sure, makes sense. Can’t be you. You’re too easy to recognize.”

  She stopped, glaring at him. “She’s helping, but I’m going. I’m not about to leave this up to chance.”

  He shook his head, watching as Sage flipped past another cell. “Hope he’s worth all this trouble.”

  “He is.” Sage swallowed against the growing lump in her throat, blinking back the wet heat forming in the corners of her eyes. She straightened, lifting her chin. “Besides, he’s saved my life a few times now. If nothing else, I owe him for that.”

  Connor lifted a brow but didn’t press her further. Instead, he turned his attention to the Dungeon, following Sage’s movements as she continued panning each room.

  “Not him either.” Her shoulders slumped as she neared the end of the final row of cells. “I think I’m gonna have to search the second lev—”

  Sage’s hand froze in midair as she stopped on the second to last cell. “No,” she breathed, almost inaudibly.

  Her heart wrenched in her chest.

  A male figure lay stretched out on the metal cot at the edge of the small room. It was Weston, no doubt.

  She couldn’t see his face, but his familiar broad shoulders and back were bared to the camera behind him. Her stomach churned violently. She had a clear view of the layers of bruises and dried blood covering his swollen skin.

  Of course, his tormentors had been careful. All the marks on his body were easily contained within the area a shirt would cover. In public, no one would see what he’d already endured.

  Because even a false confession couldn’t appear to be coerced—not if they wanted the people to believe it.

  Her jaw clenched painfully as her fingernails dug into her palms. Mr. Gaztok wasn’t going to get away with this—with any of it. Not anymore.

  As Weston’s shoulders heaved with a deep breath, she realized he wasn’t alone in the room. Chills prickled along her spine as she immediately recognized the danger Weston was in. Despite his casual stance, this was no ordinary visitor. Why in Eprah’s name would Kai be standing at the edge of Weston’s cell?

  “Volume,” she rasped weakly. “I need to hear what—”

  Connor’s hands were already moving through the air.

  “Thanks.”

  He nodded grimly, and they both fell silent, listening to the conversation taking place in front of them.

  “The Venerable Gaztok is still waiting for answers.”

  “Let him wait.” Weston’s muscles contracted with pain as he spoke. “He’s in a far greater hurry than I am.”

  Kai’s jaw flexed. “There’s still time for you to change his mind.”

  “I have nothing to bargain with. I’m not who he says I am, and I haven’t done what he says I did. I’m just someone who can be blamed so that he can hold onto the power he’s conveniently acquired.”

  “He’s earned his position,” Kai said evenly.

  “Haven’t we all,” Weston murmured.

  “There’s likely nothing left to protect anyways. Any information you give us now would just be a show of good faith. It may not be too late for mercy.” Kai’s lips twitched as Weston snorted. “I’m sure the rest of the Lawless have gone into hiding by now, changed protocols… It’s not as if you can hurt them by telling us what you know.”

  “And what would the point of that be? I keep telling you I’m not involved with them.”

  Kai stared at him icily. “The Lawless will move on without you now. You know you’re no use to them while you’re in our custody.”

  “I don’t have to be.” Effort showed on his face as he pushed himself up to face Kai. “From the moment we come into existence, we all come with expiration dates. Ideas, hope—those outlast us all.”

  Kai straightened. “Are you confessing your involvement with the Lawless?”

  Weston sighed, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back against the wall. “I don’t have to be involved with them to understand how they think. How powerful their ideas are. They’re nothing more than ghosts, yet the most powerful man in all of Eprah is running scared.”

  “I think he would disagree with that assessment.”

  “Imprisoning a benefactor for unproven crimes is evidence enough to me—and to many others. The people will notice.”

  “And you think the people will care what happens to a benefactor?”

  “Probably not. But I t
hink too much fear can stir people to action. If not even a benefactor is safe…” He let the implication hang in the air.

  “They all know you’re a traitor.”

  “They know I’ve been called a traitor. But even if they believe it, they may not consider it to be the same insult the Venerable Gaztok does—in which case, he’s only fueled an existing fire.” The corner of Weston’s mouth twitched. “He’s creating a real problem for himself.”

  Kai took a step forward. “Is that a threat?”

  “A threat?” Weston laughed, then stopped abruptly, grimacing as the motion shook his ribs. Sage’s heart twisted at the pain etched on his face. He shook his head. “I’m in no position to threaten anyone anymore. He can consider it a warning if he’d like. A final act of a loyal citizen who was once considered an advisor.”

  “I’m not sure he would see it the same way.”

  Weston shrugged. “His opinion doesn’t make much of a difference to me anymore.”

  “A dangerous statement.”

  “There’s little more dangerous than facing your own death, Mr. Abeldra, save denying the truth in that same moment.”

  “No one said anything about—”

  “Don’t.” Weston’s voice held a chilling finality. “Don’t pretend that he has no intention of making an example of me. My death was a certainty the moment I was arrested. Pretending otherwise to give me a motivation to help you—to save myself—it’s insulting.”

  “Perhaps a different motivation then. A confession to assuage your guilt.”

  “There can be no guilt if there is no wrongdoing.”

  “Then perhaps to save anyone else from your fate.”

  Weston’s mouth curled in distaste. “There’s no one left to use against me.”

  “I hope that’s true—for your sake and theirs. But I have yet to find a person that’s true for.” Kai pressed his lips together thinly as he turned to leave, knocking on the door. He stopped, resting his hand on the doorway. “If you’re holding onto some hope that you’ll be rescued, don’t bother. Mr. Gaztok’s ordered your execution for tomorrow. No one will have a chance to find you before then.”

  “There’s no one foolish enough to try to rescue me.” Weston winced as he shifted his weight. “It’d be suicide.”

  “You and I might realize that, Mr. Bennick, but Lawless or not, we both know the reach of your influence is extensive. Someone might still try. Every cause has its zealots, after all.”

  Weston’s blue eyes narrowed. “Then they’d be a fool. I’ve accepted my fate. I’m not expecting a miracle.”

  Kai nodded as the guard opened the door. “If you suddenly come to your senses, just tell the guard you’re ready to talk. As I said before, the Venerable Gaztok may yet be merciful.”

  “You mean to tell me I won’t be seeing your friend again tonight?” Weston said, a trace of bitterness in his voice. Sage’s skin crawled at the thought of who he might be referring to.

  Kai paused in the doorway, tilting his head. “Oh, I think it would be quite poor form to leave you alone on your last night in Eprah. The Venerable Gaztok would never approve.”

  “Of course not.”

  With those parting words, the door swung shut, leaving Weston alone again.

  “Have you seen enough?”

  Sage was vaguely aware of Connor’s voice as she blinked back the hot tears that threatened to fall. Losing control wouldn’t do her or Weston any good right now.

  “I hate to rush you, but we don’t have much time,” Connor said gently, fingers twitching restlessly at his side. “He doesn’t have much time.”

  Swallowing hard, Sage tore her attention from Weston and turned back to Connor. “I have what I need. Let’s get out of it.”

  Connor nodded, wasting no time as he led them back out of the system, moving faster than before. After several minutes, he flattened the images beneath his splayed-out palm, turning off the table. It was done.

  A silence fell between them for a few moments before Connor dared speak again.

  “They both said a rescue was impossible.”

  “I heard,” she snapped.

  “So… What now?” he asked, refusing to meet her eyes.

  Sage gritted her teeth, still glaring at the space where Kai had been standing just a few minutes earlier. “Now, it’s time for a miracle.”

  8. LIFE DEBT

  A strong hand wrapped around Sage’s arm, yanking her down the alley as a second hand clamped down on her mouth, silencing her before she had a chance to react.

  “Easy. It’s just me.”

  Sage’s eyes widened. She recognized Clarette’s voice before her eyes adjusted to make out the figure standing in the darkness in front of her. She nodded slowly, relaxing her shoulders as she slowly raised her hands.

  Clarette took a step back, releasing her. She jerked her head to the side, indicating they should move farther down the alley.

  “What are you doing here?” Sage whispered as she followed. “I thought we were supposed to m—”

  “The meeting point was compromised. And it wasn’t hard to figure out what route you’d take.”

  “Compromised?” Sage’s brow wrinkled.

  “No one else was there when it was raided, so we’re still good, but there’s no room for error right now.” Clarette paused, leaning closer so Sage could hear. “The whole city is being scoured for Lawless activity. C’mon.” She pulled her through a doorway at the end of the alley.

  Sage winced at the door’s loud groan, glancing behind her before taking in the dim enclosure. They were in a stairway of some sort. Probably another abandoned building, based on the chunks missing from some of the stairs.

  “We should be ok to stay here for a couple hours. Go over the plan, get some sleep. Here.” Clarette tossed a canvas at her. “So you don’t freeze to death.”

  “Thanks,” Sage mumbled, arranging the stiff cloth over her shoulders.

  “Did you find him?”

  Sage nodded. “He’s on the first level of the Dungeon. Where I expected he’d be. But I still don’t know the way in through the tunnels.”

  “I already told you I’ve got it covered.”

  Sage arched an eyebrow, waiting. “Care to share?”

  “It’s a complicated route.”

  “Then I suggest you un-complicate it,” Sage said sharply, her patience wearing thin.

  “In an hour? Impossible. But there’s no need.” Clarette shook her head. “I’m coming with you.”

  “But if something happens to you when we’re—”

  “If something happens to me, you won’t stand a chance of making it to Mr. Bennick anyways. And I know you think everything’s going to magically work out, but I have to think about the future. I’m not risking all the Lawless’ underground routes for one rescue, no matter who it is.”

  Clarette crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. “Besides, other than the fact that Mr. Bennick and Martha vouched for you, I don’t really know you. If you get caught, I can’t trust that you won’t talk.”

  “But what if you get caught?” Sage gritted her teeth.

  “I won’t. I’ve been getting around the city undetected for years. This won’t be any different.”

  “Seriously? That’s not much of a plan.” Sage shook her head, muttering under her breath “And you accused me of working off of hope.”

  “You don’t have to like it.” Clarette barked out a laugh. “This rescue might be mostly your plan, but this isn’t your call. You can’t do this without my help, and my help comes with conditions.” She leaned forward, spreading her hands. “Take it or leave it.”

  “Fine,” Sage ground out, rolling her shoulders. She shot a doubtful glance over her companion’s slender frame. “But we’ll need some more muscle than just the two of us.”

  “No. Just me. With the chaos, I can’t spare anyone else, and we’ll have better luck slipping in undetected with just two of us.” Her jaw stiffened. “Besides, looks can be
deceiving.”

  “It’s not great odds.” Sage shivered, pulling the canvas tighter. “If the level isn’t as cleared out as—”

  “No one else,” Clarette said firmly. “I shouldn’t even be agreeing to any of this. But I owe him. I can’t leave him there to die. Not when there’s another option.”

  “Fine.” Sage bit the inside of her lip. Clarette was right—she needed her help, no matter how far from ideal it was. It wasn’t like she had anyone else lining up to risk their necks for a benefactor.

  “So,” Clarette said, leaning back against the wall, “you’re planning on using Rogues to clear out the guards on that level?”

  Sage nodded.

  “How?”

  “They’ll draw as much attention away from us as possible. Keep the officers busy. They won’t be able to spare a bunch of guards for one prisoner with everything going on.”

  “You mentioned that much before. But what’s going to be going on?” She tilted her head. “How, exactly, are the Rogues going to demand that much attention?”

  “By doing what they do best. Chaos.” Sage lifted her chin, pushing down any guilt she still harbored for this part of the plan. “When I signal them, they’ll set off a series of bombs—abandoned or empty buildings, mostly.”

  Clarette’s eyes narrowed. “Mostly?”

  “That’s the plan. I’m just not sure how closely they’ll follow it,” she admitted reluctantly. “But if we don’t keep the officers busy, there’ll be too many guards on Weston. We won’t stand a chance.”

  Clarette pursed her lips. “He would never approve of this plan. Not to rescue one man.”

  “He’s not just one man—he’s the leader of a rebellion.”

  “Maybe so, but he’s not that selfish.”

  “Well, selfish or not, he’s not making the call here. I am.” Sage squared her shoulders. “With or without your help, if you’re thinking of changing your mind.”

  “With or—” Clarette snorted. “You’d never make it without my help.”

  “Then I suppose I should be grateful you’re coming with me.”

  “No,” Clarette said soberly, “you should be grateful I owe the Bennicks my life.”