The moment she had heard fighting within the camp the previous night, Rowe realised that something had gone wrong. If there was a chance that Sloane and Rhyn had failed, she knew she had to do something.
Rowe had returned to the camp expecting her father to welcome her back with open arms. She thought that she could try and influence his decisions from the inside, but she was wrong. As soon as she tried to warn him about the Brakys, he became so angry that he had her put in shackles, saying it was a punishment for leaving with Sloane. But Rowe felt like it was more than that. She’d been abandoned there for hours now, and she still didn’t know when, or if, her father would release her.
Rowe lowered her head in despair, but as she did, she caught sight of movement in the shadows of the tent that stood closest to her. Rowe froze as her eyes narrowed and she tried to see who was there. Chained to the post in the dark, she felt completely vulnerable—especially after encountering the Brakys. She took several quick steps back around the pole so that it slightly hid her.
She didn’t have a weapon on her, and even if she did, she wouldn’t know how to use it. It was probably just someone stretching their legs, but she couldn’t help herself from imagining the terrifying creatures they’d dealt with only days before.
Rowe tensed as a person stepped from the shadows. They continued walking towards her, and it was only when she caught sight of the figure’s red hair in the moonlight that she relaxed. It was Jack. She instinctively ran towards him only to jerk to a halt as the manacle yanked her back. She collapsed down onto her knees and hissed in a breath as an excruciating pain shot through her ankle.
‘Are you okay?’ Jack whispered, as he jogged up and took her arm.
She blinked back tears as she looked up at him. ‘Of course I’m not okay,’ she said, staring into his eyes. ‘You disappeared on me, and I had no idea where you went. Where have you been?’
His deep red hair was messy and dark patches had collected under his eyes. It didn’t look like he’d slept in days. Rowe hadn’t slept in what felt like forever either, so she could only imagine how dishevelled she looked.
‘I meant is your ankle okay? That looked like quite a fall.’
Rowe shook her head and allowed Jack to help her to her feet again. ‘My ankle will be fine,’ she replied. ‘But, seriously, where were you?’
‘I went to tell Sloane what we were doing,’ he said. ‘I didn’t think I’d be gone long, but when I was on my way back, I bumped into some of the guys patrolling the woods. I had to talk fast to stop them getting suspicious, and I somehow managed to convince them I’d been sent there to relieve one of them. Only, I’ve been stuck out there all night.’
He shook his head, as though he was disgusted at the idea. ‘I came the moment I heard you were chained here. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.’
‘It’s fine,’ she said. ‘It’s probably best you couldn’t come during the day. I don’t want you getting into trouble too…’
‘What happened?’ he asked.
Rowe took in a deep breath and slowly blew it out as she considered where to begin. ‘I went to see my father, as planned, when we parted ways,’ she started. ‘He seemed happy to see me at first, but then I brought up the Brakys. I’d barely said anything about them, and he called his guards in and had me taken away. He said something about punishing me for going with Sloane, but I’m not sure that’s all it is.’
Jack shook his head in disgust, looking down at the chain around Rowe’s ankle.
‘I can’t understand Ash though,’ Rowe continued. ‘He just stood there and watched them take me away.’
‘That’s probably because you don’t know the whole truth of what happened when Sloane confronted the Captain,’ Jack said. ‘Ash betrayed her. He told your father about the Liftsal, and it appears they want it. The Captain sent a group of men to the rift yesterday. Rhyn managed to stop them, but I have no doubt they’ll try again.’
Rowe frowned and tried to make sense of what Jack was saying. ‘But, Ash wouldn’t do that.’
‘Well, he did. Ash was the one who led the group against Rhyn.’
Rowe paced away from Jack, unable to accept what he was saying. Ash had been a prisoner of the Brakys for weeks. There was no way he would ignore their threat, and she couldn’t believe that he would betray his sisters.
As much as she didn’t want Jack’s explanation to be true, it did explain why Ash had stayed silent when she’d gone to her father to tell him about the Brakys. And why he’d stood back and watched as her father’s guards dragged her off.
‘So, what do we do?’ she asked. ‘The whole reason we came back here was to help convince my father from the inside, but that was before we knew he was after the Liftsal. I thought we could help.’
‘And we still can,’ Jack replied. ‘Sloane wants us to feed the Unfaih information. They need us to warn them of any attacks and report anything that can work to their advantage. They don’t want to go to war, and we could help them stop that from happening.’
‘She wants us to spy on our father?’ Rowe’s eyes widened a fraction as Jack nodded. The idea of sneaking around her father made her nervous. But they had a chance to stop a war. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.
‘The only way we’re going to learn anything vital is by gaining my father’s confidence,’ she finally said. ‘He’s angry with me now, but if I can make him believe I’m on his side, I may be able to learn what he’s up to.’
Jack grimaced, and worry lines streaked across his forehead. ‘Are you sure that’s a good idea? It sounds dangerous. If he finds out you’re lying…’
Rowe reached out and lightly touched his arm. ‘I know you all think he’s evil, but the man is also my father. I’ll be fine.’
Jack glared down at the shackle around her ankle. ‘Because you’re so fine now.’
Rowe’s hand dropped from his arm, and she frowned, trying to stop her eyes from betraying the hurt she felt at his words. ‘I am fine. And I know I can do this.’
‘I don’t doubt that,’ Jack replied. ‘I just don’t want you putting yourself in danger.’
‘Well, it’s our best option, so I’m doing it,’ she replied, a defiant tone to her voice.
Jack sighed and looked at the ground, kicking a clump of dirt beneath his feet. He stared at the dirt as it rolled away from him, so many emotions flickering across his eyes as he let out a breath and looked back up at Rowe. ‘I’ve hurt your feelings, and I’m sorry. I’m only worried because I care.’
She stared at him, tilting her head as she tried to figure him out. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment she felt lost in them. She could almost feel how much he cared about her in the way he gazed back at her. Even though she had been abandoned and chained to a post, she felt safer just because Jack was nearby. She wasn’t used to anyone other than Sloane looking at her that way though, and she didn’t quite know how to deal with such emotion. She quickly glanced away.
‘It’s fine, really,’ she said, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. ‘I appreciate that you’re worried, but you’ll be here if anything goes wrong. I know you won’t let me get hurt.’
She slowly looked back over at him before she continued. ‘And I won’t let you get hurt either, which is why I think you should go,’ she said. ‘It’s nearly sunrise, and people will be up and moving soon. Father doesn’t know you were with us when we went to Rhyn’s world and Ash doesn’t know you’re back in camp. It’s better if it stays that way.’
Jack grunted in reply. ‘I don’t like leaving you here,’ he muttered, his eyes shifting with distrust.
‘I know, but I don’t want you to get caught.’
‘I can take care of myself,’ he replied.
Rowe had no doubt that Jack could defend himself, but she’d like to avoid him needing to if possible, especially since they were in a settlement filled with men who were ready to jump at her father’s every command.
She let out a breath and stared into th
e night. ‘I still find it hard to believe that Ash betrayed us,’ she murmured.
‘Rowe, I hate to break it to you, but your brother idolises the Captain. It’s not surprising that he told him about the Liftsal.’
Rowe didn’t like how quick Jack was to distrust Ash. ‘But he knows how dangerous the Brakys are. Perhaps Ash told him about the Liftsal because he believed it would help convince our father to leave.’
Jack let out a dark laugh. ‘I’m pretty sure telling someone like your father about magical water than has miraculous healing powers isn’t going to convince him to leave.’
Rowe frowned at him, crossing her arms over her chest. Ash had always been a kind and considerate brother. He had always been there for her, and she couldn’t imagine him ever doing anything that would put innocent people in danger.
Jack took her hand in his and squeezed it. ‘I know you find it difficult to see the bad in people, but you have to realise that your brother isn’t the saint you believe him to be. He told the Captain about the Liftsal, and he’s actively trying to help him get hold of it.’
Rowe’s eyes were wide and glistened with unshed tears in the moonlight. She didn’t want Jack to be right. She’d always trusted Ash and believed he’d look out for their family. But, right now, she knew deep in her gut that Jack was telling her the truth. Her brother had betrayed them—and his betrayal could result in the death of every human in the settlement if they didn’t do something about it.
‘Have you managed to find out anything that can help the Unfaih?’ she asked, trying not to think about Ash. She felt so hurt by her brother’s actions that her hands were bunching at her sides and her head felt like it was aching. She wished her sister were there with them. Sloane always knew what to do, and right now Rowe really wanted her help.
‘There’s another ship arriving in three days,’ he replied, pausing to look down at his watch. ‘Well, I guess it’s actually two days from now. But that seems to be common knowledge around the camp. I haven’t heard anything about a planned attack. No one’s even mentioned the group who went with Ash to the rift yesterday. Everyone is incredibly tight-lipped.’ Jack looked quite pleased with himself, but Rowe knew they had to do more to help the Unfaih.
‘Or maybe they don’t know anything,’ she wondered out loud.
‘Maybe. But don’t worry, we’ll find a way to get the information we need,’ Jack added, nodding his head firmly.
Rowe wished she had his confidence, but it was a little hard to believe she could help when she was tied to a post. She jangled the chain around her foot in frustration, wondering how long it would take Sloane to get out of the restraint.
Even if Rowe could escape, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to go far. She needed to be in the settlement so she could get as much information about the Captain’s plans as possible. Rowe didn’t have any experience spying on people. She had never needed to; she trusted people too much. But she refused to let everyone down this time, especially her sister.
‘I really couldn’t do this without you,’ she said softly, her gaze lifting to look Jack in the eyes.
The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. ‘You know I’m happy to help. What we’re doing is important. I only wish it were as simple as telling everyone in camp the truth.’
Her eyes dulled at his comment. ‘It would be that simple if Ash were the one talking. Everyone knows him, and his team have been missing all this time. Even yesterday I heard rumours spreading around the camp about where he’s been and why none of the others have returned. People are suspicious and worried.’
‘Perhaps we need to play on that,’ Jack said. ‘We could spread rumours of our own…’
Rowe shook her head. ‘Sloane wants us gathering information, not spreading rumours that could get us into trouble. We’ll be no use to her if the Captain has us both locked away. At least now you have your freedom.’
The sound of footsteps over by one of the tents reached Rowe’s ears, and she fell silent. Her body stiffened, her eyes shifting to the tent in a flash. Someone was coming towards them, though she couldn’t see any sign of them yet.
‘There’s someone out there.’ Rowe’s lips barely moved as they shaped the words. ‘You can’t be seen with me,’ she added, turning to face Jack.
He was staring stubbornly back at her like he didn’t want to leave and didn’t care about the consequences of being caught. But Rowe’s gaze was hard, and her tone held no room for argument. Jack slowly nodded and took several steps backwards before he turned and made his way into the dark shadows that bordered the moonlit square.
Content that he was out of sight, Rowe turned to face the tents where she’d heard the noise coming from. Her body was tense as she searched the darkness for whoever was out there. She took a hesitant step back as a figure stepped from the shadows. The man was tall and wearing a military uniform, but it was too dark to make out his face.
He continued towards her, making his way directly across the open ground that separated them. She was growing increasingly nervous and beginning to wish she hadn’t sent Jack away. But as the man neared, and she saw him clearly in the moonlight, she relaxed slightly as she recognised it was Dean.
‘Lieutenant Dean,’ she said to him, her voice soft, as he approached. Her gaze dropped to the ground, and she wanted to groan at her timidity. She’d been so brave when they had faced the Brakys, but now she could barely meet the eyes of a man who was supposed to be her friend.
She heaved out a breath and slowly looked up to meet his eyes. He smiled at her and handed over a bottle of water.
‘I thought you might be thirsty,’ he said, as she took the bottle from him and guzzled its contents.
‘Thanks,’ she said, wiping the water from across her mouth before she went to take another sip.
‘How are you doing out here?’ Dean asked as she continued to drink.
Rowe lowered the bottle from her mouth. ‘About as well as can be expected,’ she replied.
‘I would have come earlier, but the Captain has had me in meetings all night, and I didn’t want to draw attention during the day.’
‘It’s okay,’ Rowe replied, giving him a small smile. ‘I appreciate the thought.’ She passed him back the empty water container, and he stared down at it as he held it in his hands. He twisted it around, and he almost seemed hesitant to leave.
‘Was there something else?’ Rowe prompted.
He folded his arms across his chest, one hand tapping the empty water bottle against his upper arm. ‘I want to talk to you about your time in the other world and Ash’s return,’ he replied.
Her eyes slightly narrowed as she looked up at him and her stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch as she searched his face for the reason he was coming to her for answers. Wouldn’t he have heard everything from Ash or the Captain? For a moment she wondered exactly whose side Dean was on.
‘Have you been told much about what happened to Ash?’ Rowe asked, her blood pumping quickly through her veins.
Dean nodded. ‘Yes, I’ve been briefed.’
‘And?’
‘And I’m not sure what to believe right now,’ Dean said. ‘That’s why I wanted to talk with you.’
Rowe could see the confusion in Dean’s eyes, but she knew she couldn’t tell him anything. She was going to have to start playing along if she wanted her father’s trust. She only had one job while she was in the camp and it was to get information. She couldn’t do that if she were also spreading the truth about the Brakys. Her father would never confide in her if she were caught telling people that Ash was lying about his time in the world of the Unfaih.
‘You were there when Sloane told me about the evil creatures she was going after,’ Dean said, still frowning. ‘I want you to tell me if what she said was true…’
Rowe chewed on her lower lip as she hesitated. She hated being dishonest more than anything, but as she looked at Dean, she felt her decision solidify within her heart. She needed to get her father and Ash
to confide in her, and lying to Dean now might help her achieve that.
‘Look, I understand if you’re a little confused, but if Ash has told you what happened there’s nothing else I can add,’ she replied.
The crease at his brow deepened and he crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at her. ‘So, Sloane was lying then?’ he asked. ‘Because Ash said nothing of the monsters she described.’
Rowe felt the pressure of his words against her like she’d been pushed against a wall. Adrenaline rushed through her body as she tried to come up with a response, causing her heart to race and her mind to go blank. She was no good at lying to people’s faces, and she struggled to maintain a neutral expression.
It sounded like Dean didn’t know the full story about what had happened to Ash in the world of the Unfaih. Her father and Ash were clearly keeping the Brakys a secret from everyone in camp, including one of their highest-ranking Lieutenants.
Had they even told him about the Liftsal? She could tell Dean the truth and hope that he had the power and influence to spread it around the camp. But that would be risky, and she wasn’t completely sure she could trust him. If she backed up Ash’s lies, however, Dean might relay her side of the story to the Captain. That would prove to Ash and her father that she was on their side.
After several moments she eventually shrugged. ‘I don’t know what else to tell you, but my brother wouldn’t lie, and I have no idea why Sloane told us those tales of monsters.’
‘She seemed pretty convinced,’ Dean replied. ‘She left to chase them down and came back with Ash. Something is missing, and I want to know what it is.’
Rowe could feel her resolve start to waiver. It would make their lives so much easier if Dean knew the truth and could help them. But she needed her father’s trust more than anything right now, and her job in the camp was too important to risk revealing the truth to Dean. She hated the pressure of his questions and keeping the truth from him was hard, but she needed to stay firm if she was going to have any chance of succeeding and helping the Unfaih stop her father.
The Oblivion Stone (The Liftsal Guardians Book 3) Page 9