by AR Colbert
“Former Sanitation Office Worker,” Raf corrected with a grin. Since when were these two so friendly?
“That still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here in the first place.” I turned pointedly toward Raf, but Joy was the one who answered.
“We put him up in the carriage house,” she explained. “There was an unused storage room in there. Director Walsh has never set foot in the carriage house, so we thought it was a safe place for him to stay.”
“Until I can establish a home base Outside,” Raf shrugged. “You said I wasn’t invited to stay in the main house.”
I sighed, and glanced warily over at Jeremy who still stood with a smug smile. He enjoyed watching me lose control of the situation. I cut my eyes back over to Raf with an expression that I hoped he understood to mean shut up. This wasn’t the time or the place to be discussing the Embers and Outside camps.
“It’s okay,” Raf said as though he could read my mind. “They know.”
I tried to remain expressionless, though I knew Raf could feel my shock. Why couldn’t he hear me mentally screaming at him to keep quiet? “They know what?”
“They know about the Embers.”
There was no way I was able to prevent my eyes from widening at his words. What was he doing? A nervous giggle escaped my throat as I glanced around the circle. Everyone stared back at me with serious expressions. Everyone except Jeremy.
He rolled his eyes. “You know—it wouldn’t hurt for you to be a little more honest with us. You’d be a lot more likable if you let the staff see whose side you’re really on.”
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Jeremy scoffed. “Right. Because I’m just a lowly Worker instead of a Leader.”
“No—because you think you understand me, but you don’t have a clue. There is a lot more going on behind the scenes that you could ever comprehend.” I didn’t realize how loud I was getting until Raf put his hand on my arm.
“Claren.”
I tried to shake him off. I didn’t want him projecting his calmness into me. I was mad at him, too. But he wrapped his fingers above my elbow, gentle but firm.
“I told them because I need their help. We can’t do this alone.”
Jeremy was frowning, but the others looked hopeful. “And how are they going to help?” I asked.
“They can get me Outside. They can help me find some camps. They believe in the Embers’ philosophy—probably even more than some of the Embers do. They’re committed.”
Asher stepped forward, his fingers entwined with Joy’s. “This is the first time I’ve ever had any real hope for my future.” He looked at Joy. “For our future. I’ll do whatever you ask. Whatever it takes. And I think you’ll be surprised at how many others in Louisburg will back you up as well.”
“Thank you, Asher. But we can’t spread the news in the city. Not yet. Director Walsh won’t hesitate to eliminate anyone who threatens his power here. We need to build a strong Outside presence first. Increase our numbers.”
“And sharpen our defenses,” Rider added. “Which is what you stumbled upon today. We’re training.”
“All of us.” Asher stepped forward.
“Even me,” Jeremy said. “I may not know how to wield a gun, but give me a shovel and I’m unstoppable.”
I smiled. Their determination was palpable. And like Asher, I began to feel a glimmer of hope as well. “So what about me? Do I get to train, too?”
Raf grinned. “I’ll give you as much one on one training as you want.”
Rider rolled his eyes and Asher chuckled.
“I’ll take whatever I can get. When do we start?”
CHAPTER 18
We only got in one day of training before Everett returned. It was a basic review of self defense—blocking and punching, lunging and evading—but it was enough to leave my thighs and upper arms burning with soreness the following day. It was pathetic how little physical exertion I’d had since my promotion. Cato would have been disappointed in me.
Not that I could get out of the house much with Everett back. His presence brought what felt like a stifling fog throughout the house. The lights appeared dimmer. Voices were softer. Everyone was on edge when he was around, even more so now that we shared a secret. A secret that he would abhor.
If he killed off everyone working at the food bank his predecessor set up, I had no doubt that he’d do the same to us. Everett couldn’t handle the thought of losing his power. We had to keep our plans to grow the Ember presence in Louisburg a secret.
Growing it wasn’t proving to be very easy either, even without Everett’s knowledge. Raf had gone Outside everyday since Everett’s return. And after twelve or more hours of exploring, he returned everyday shaking his head. No camps. No Outsiders anywhere.
Jeremy insisted they existed. And he really believed it—I could feel it. But I worried that he’d constructed some utopian world Outside in his imagination, just to ease the pain of his wife leaving. What if there truly weren’t any Outside camps in the Louisburg area? Or worse—what if the few Outsiders that remained had all been killed off by the Exiled?
The thought left me on pins and needles everyday when Raf would leave. As much as I pretended not to have feelings for him, the thought of him not returning ripped at my heart every morning when I watched him go. And my insides remained twisted in anxiety until I watched him return to the carriage house every night. I’d wait for him there with leftovers from dinner that Joy helped me sneak out of the kitchen. But every night it was the same news.
Monday afternoon I sat in my office at City Hall, drumming my fingers impatiently on my desk. The same worries plagued me, but at work I didn’t have anything to do but sit and dwell on them. Barbara knocked on the door, providing a needed distraction.
“Ms. Greenwood? I’m sorry to bother you, but we’ve just received a message from your staff at the house. There seems to be a problem they need your help with right away.”
“What kind of problem?” I was already packing up my things and preparing to leave, but I had no idea what to expect back home.
“They didn’t say. Would you like me to notify Director Walsh and see if he can be of any assistance?”
“No, there’s no need to interrupt him. I’ll fill him in on whatever the issue is tonight at supper. Thank you, Barbara.”
“You’re welcome, ma’am. I’ll have them bring your car around.”
The car was electrified with Asher’s excited energy when I climbed in. “What’s going on?”
He subtly shook his head. Someone must’ve been listening in. I clamped my lips shut and allowed him to speak.
“Joy needs your assistance with a wardrobe malfunction. Your formal gown was somehow ruined in the laundry. You’ll need to order a new one immediately if you want it to be ready for the dinner Director Walsh has scheduled for Friday night.” His voice was almost robotic, uniform and monotone. Evidently Asher shared my acting abilities, or lack thereof.
“I see.” I kept my mouth shut the rest of the way home. Asher’s smirk was barely perceptible, but I didn’t need to see it to understand something bigger was going on. Something pretty major, by the feel of it.
I pushed my door open as soon as the car rolled to a stop back at Everett’s house. Asher jumped out as well, pulling me into the carriage house by my wrist. “Come on!” he urged.
I gasped at the sight inside. Raf looked like he’d been through hell and back. He held an ice pack to his head. His upper lip was swollen and encrusted with dried blood, and both eyes were already darkening into sickening shades of purple and blue.
“Raf!” I rushed to his side but he just looked up at me with a stupid grin on his beaten face. “What happened?”
“He found them!” Asher lifted onto the balls of his feet, barely able to contain his excitement. Even Joy was suppressing a small smile as she tended to a cut on Raf’s eyebrow.
“Found who?”
“The Outsiders,” Ra
f said. “All of them.” I turned an empty bucket over across from him and sat so he could elaborate.
“I haven’t been able to find anyone before now because they are all together in one enormous camp. It’s huge, Claren. Probably half the size of Louisburg, at least.”
“What did they do to you?” I didn’t care how many of them there were if they were hostile.
Raf shook off my question. “I’m fine. But listen—there are probably thousands of people in this camp. Men, women, children-”
“Raf! You’re hurt. Please tell me what happened to you.”
He was startled, taken aback by my concern. Then the corner of his mouth twitched, and I instantly regretted revealing how much I cared. Though it’s not like he didn’t already know. I was a horrible liar, and he was a very skilled Empath.
He took my hand into his, and his eyes softened. “They’re very defensive—and rightfully so. They don’t take kindly to newcomers. And I wasn’t referred in by anyone, so they had no way to know if I was a friend or a foe.”
“So they hurt you?”
“Not at first. But they thought I was lying about who I was, and they didn’t want to hear any ‘false hope’ out of me. Eventually their leader came out and determined I wasn’t a risk. He just thought I was crazy. He ordered his men to leave me alone and told me to get out.”
“I’m sure he won’t be so kind if you go back again.”
Raf shook his head. “He made sure I knew I wasn’t welcome back again. That’s why I need to get Frank out here. He’s the diplomat. Not me.”
“Well you can’t go back to Classen City in this shape. Let’s get you rested and healed for a couple of days. Then you can go get him. Or actually—”
I bit the inside of my lip, debating on whether or not I should let them know about my communication with Felix. We were set to talk again that night, and I could have Felix get word out to Frank. But somehow mentioning Felix to Raf made me... uncomfortable. It was silly. Felix was just a friend. And technically, so was Raf. Just a really attractive friend—and a great kisser.
“Actually what?” Raf asked.
“I’ve got an appointment to talk to someone in Classen City tonight. He’s a friend of the Embers. I’ll ask him to send Frank out here. It’ll be much more efficient than you driving all the way back.”
“And who is this ‘friend of the Embers?’” Raf studied me, his deep brown eyes almost black.
“Felix,” I said quietly. Raf nodded slowly, but he didn’t inquire further. I was certain he knew of my involvement with Felix, though we’d never spoken of it.
“Felix Walsh? As in Director Walsh’s son?” Asher gaped at me.
“Yes, but I promise he’s on our side.”
Joy touched Asher’s arm. “He seemed friendly enough when he stayed after Claren’s party. And he brought us Rider.”
Asher still looked uncertain. “If you say so.”
“Speaking of Rider, where is he?” I glanced around the carriage house to make sure I hadn’t missed him somehow. He was good at staying hidden in the shadows.
“He’s running an errand in town. He should be back soon.” Joy locked eyes for a fraction of a second with Raf, and I got the feeling there was something they weren’t telling me.
“Come on,” Raf said, standing. “I need to keep moving before my limbs get stiff and the soreness sets in.”
We sauntered out into the garden, following a winding path through the shrubs and flowerbeds. Spring was kind to Everett’s estate. The garden breathed new life into the place, making it feel almost alive with magic. Or maybe that was the hope bubbling up from most of us who resided here.
“How do you think they’ve gone undetected for so long out there? If their camp is as large as you say it is, surely the Leadership here is aware of it. I can’t imagine Everett would let something like that exist outside of his control.”
“From what I understand, the Leadership hasn’t always been so harshly opposed to Outsiders here.”
“You mean Director Yoder?”
Raf nodded. “She probably turned a blind eye as the camp grew in size, and now they’re so large I don’t think the Protectors of Louisburg would stand a chance against them. Actually, knowing the people around here, I bet most of the Protectors would jump to their side if given the chance.”
“That may be true for now, but I can’t imagine Everett is going to ignore them for long.”
“I’m worried he may not be able to ignore you for long either.” Raf slowed and reached for my hand, but I pulled it away from him.
“What do you mean? I haven’t given him any reason to suspect I’m not completely on his side.”
“I’m not worried about him suspecting your involvement with the Embers. I’m more worried about him... trying other things with you.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’ll be fine. I told you before, I can handle myself.”
“I hope so.” Raf’s mouth pulled into a frown, and his lips puffed into even more of a pout than normal because of the swelling. “Rider said it gets pretty bad sometimes, especially when he’s been drinking.”
“Well Rider can mind his own business.” I huffed and picked up my pace to the house.
“Claren.” Raf sighed. “We’re just looking out for you. You never can be too careful around someone named Walsh.”
I hated the way that name sounded coming from Raf’s mouth. And the jealousy that soured his tone wasn’t from the inappropriate moves made by Everett. Raf might want to murder the old man, but he certainly wasn’t jealous of him. That tone had to come from him knowing I was going to talk to Felix later.
My mouth parted as I considered explaining our relationship to him. Felix and I were friends. Best friends, really, ever since I ended up in the Leadership. And though we slipped once and kissed, it didn’t mean anything. It was only a means to end our pain at the time.
But I didn’t say any of that. I didn’t have to explain myself to Raf. After all, we were just friends, too. And there were bigger issues that needed to be taken care of than my love life—or whatever this was.
By the time seven o’clock rolled around, I’d pushed all of my confusing thoughts about Raf from my mind. Settling into the pillows on my bed, I held the button on the back of my communication device and grinned like a fool when Felix’s face appeared.
“Hello, beautiful.” He was dressed down for the night, his collared shirt undone to reveal a white undershirt clinging to the muscles in his broad chest.
“Hey, Felix. I’ve got some exciting news for you!” Felix didn’t look excited to hear it. In fact, the closer I looked, the more I noticed how weary he appeared. Stressed. “Wait. Is everything okay?”
He made a weak attempt to smile before his mouth pulled into a frown. Running a hand through his golden hair, he shook his head. “No. We got some bad news today.”
I sat straighter, pulling the device onto a pillow on my lap. “What kind of bad news?” Though I had a hunch I already knew, I prayed I was wrong.
“There was an attack. Two attacks, actually.”
The air deflated from my lungs. Working past the lump that formed in my throat, I struggled to form words for the question I feared to have answered. “My dad?”
“His camp was unharmed.”
Relief washed through me, but there were many other people out there besides my father. “Were there any casualties?”
Felix’s lower lip quivered slightly. “Yes. James hadn’t received a final count yet when we spoke, but it was bad.”
This couldn’t be real. I knew it was, though. My mind shuffled through a range of emotions: shock, grief, and guilt, until it finally settled on rage.
“Was it Justice Hines? Let me guess, she probably called an emergency meeting to brag about her accomplishment to all the other Leaders, listing the number of deaths like trophies on a shelf.” My lip curled in disgust. “I hate her.”
It was true. I hated her with every fiber of my being. Bu
t Felix wasn’t sharing in my flurry of hatred and rage. He looked down, staring blankly into some void off screen. “Felix?”
His eyes met mine again. “It wasn’t Justice Hines. She was in the same meetings as I was all day.”
“That doesn’t mean it wasn’t her doing. You know she wanted them dead. She probably hired some Protectors to do it while she was working.”
He shook his head again. “We were together when we first received news about the attacks. She was shocked. I really don’t think she knew.”
“She’s a great actor when she wants to be,” I argued. Of course it was Justice Hines. Who else would do such a thing?
Felix didn’t belabor the point. “Claren, there’s more. These attacks—they weren’t typical of city Protectors. They weren’t typical of anything I’ve ever heard of. The weapons they used were very technologically advanced. Even Emilio was surprised. We’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
“Reports are that the attacks came from above, but no aircraft was seen. People near the target of the attack were instantly killed. Survivors from the edges of the camps suffered pain or temporary unconsciousness, like they’d been shocked or stunned. But no enemies were ever spotted.”
“Oh my goodness.” I couldn’t breathe. Those camps were full of innocent people. Elderly and women and children! It was definitely more that Justice Hines could pull off on her own, but what kind of monsters would rain down terror like this? “The Supreme Leadership. Where’s Conrad? I’m certain this is his fault!”
Felix squeezed his eyes shut and grimaced. Sorrow streaked his features when he opened them again. “He’s gone.”
“Noo!” The cry that escaped my throat was raw and full of pain. But it was more than that. I’d never been so angry in my life. My vision was darkening around the edges. I was so consumed by my fury that I almost missed the next words from Felix’s mouth.
“Conrad disappeared, but he’s not the only one missing. Milo is gone too. And Frank.”