“Are you injured, sir?” Quinn asked me.
My mind was numb, but Quinn was waiting for something, the signal, a gesture I’d been waiting to use for this past week.
I nodded, barely able to bring my trembling hand to my mouth. He took my hand and entwined it with his. It felt good to see his face again, to know he’d decided to come back for me. I couldn’t keep myself from hugging him, from burying my face in his black uniform. I didn’t care who saw us. The stiff cotton scratched against my nose, but I didn’t care about that either. I wasn’t alone in this room of strangers anymore. Even after what had happened, Quinn decided to come back to me. He didn’t blame me for what the General had done.
“I didn’t expect such a welcome,” he whispered against my hair.
I quickly backed away and tried to hide my exuberance. This was Quinn after all, and now I had to stop embarrassing myself. Why had I hugged him like that? He was so tall, so handsome.
He offered his arm. “Stroll with me.”
I glanced around for Cecelia, but she was nowhere to be seen. I took his arm and we flowed through the crowd.
“What took you so long? I was worried about you,” I whispered, so low I wondered if he’d heard me. But he did.
“I needed time.”
“Did you take care of him? Say goodbye?”
He nodded. “I made sure he had a proper burial.”
We passed by so many members of the Guild, and they barely gave us a sidelong glance.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked me.
Once we reached a quiet spot in the corner, he surprised me by leaning close to my ear. A sensation similar to a feather tickled my ear lobe. At first, I leaned back, but he grabbed me by the shoulders. “Why are you so skittish all of a sudden? I don’t bite.” He laughed softly.
I relaxed slightly. “I’ve had some hard times.”
“But you’ve survived. You’re still alive. That’s a good sign.”
With him standing next to me, I thought back to all the times I’d missed out on what other girls my age might’ve taken for granted. To have a boy this close. Close enough for him to brush against my ear. Close enough for the stubble on his cheek to tickle my skin.
“Either way, with what little time we have now, we need to act fast,” Quinn whispered. “Since you’ve kept your side of the bargain, I’ve already made arrangements for you to meet the right people to help you.”
“Once we get you…” he trailed off and looked behind him. Someone was coming, Cecelia. A stolen moment lost.
Even though Quinn returned to his position as Master of Blades, everything didn’t immediately get better. I’d lost another day to General Dagon, and the three times I tried to get to the study to have a private conversation with Quinn, Rebecca had caught me on the way.
After my escape to the Winston Institute, she often locked me in the master suite.
“You’ve become a nuisance. A persistent one at that,” she’d said that morning. “I told my master we need to break you until your mind splinters apart.”
From the way she sneered at me, I felt it was safe to assume I’d survived much longer than the others. Each host must’ve vanished without an afterthought. I hadn’t fallen so easily.
But that also meant I was living on borrowed time. I didn’t have days or weeks. He was waiting for the right time to take me out for good.
I had to get out of this room, and I only had one choice: lie. I had to do something I’d already begun to do: pretend I was him.
“May I have the passcode, Master?” she asked.
“The passcode is victorious.” Fortunately, she asked for one of the passcodes I’d already used. “Be sure to ask for another if you are not sure. I don’t trust that girl.” I frowned for good measure, anything to keep the moment serious. “Is there anything else, or do you plan to stare at me for the rest of the day?” At first, I felt guilty for talking to her like that, but I had to play the game if I wanted to live.
She hesitated, taken aback. Even Quinn looked slightly amused.
“No, Master,” she said. “Would you like a drink while you read the network news this morning?”
I wanted to be alone with Quinn, but I couldn’t take any chances. “Bring my usual. You know what I want.”
“Of course, Master.” Her eyes glowed, and I wondered, How could she admire a man like him?
I left the master suite and soon reached the point where I was now—hoping to talk to Quinn about how I’d escape to get help. But not before my drink was delivered.
Rebecca brought a shot glass filled with a maple-colored fluid. “Your drink, Master. Is there anything else?”
This was a familiar scene to me, and I already knew what to say. “No. Make sure my affairs are taken care of today. I have things to do.”
She turned, ready to leave.
“Oh, and Rebecca?”
She returned with a slight smile. “Master?”
“I don’t want to be disturbed. Do you understand?”
“Always as you wish, Master.”
Now that I was alone, I poured half of that vile drink into one of the potted plants. Hopefully, no one would smell it. Leaning against the wall, Quinn chuckled at my antics.
Now it was time for business. I gave Quinn the signal. “What do I need to do to get this process started?”
“If you’re able, meet me tonight at the guard house,” Quinn instructed. “I’ll take care of everything else. We’ll also need a new system in place in case of emergencies, a rapid-fire number exchange.”
Seemed like an easy enough request. All I had to do was make my schedule fit his. On most nights, I slept with no problem. He actually preferred for me to sleep. Perhaps it was all due to his desire for a fit body. But like all things, I didn’t trust the General and couldn’t predict when he’d awaken.
I took a catnap that afternoon and into the evening. If the General was going to appear, he would’ve showed up by this point. Perhaps I had a free evening to myself. But, of course, that wasn’t the case. Lieutenant Alphonse Kelping stopped by and I had to play hostess. Since the General didn’t make an appearance as desired, I was left to entertain him. Playing the role of the so-called foolish girl came easily. I’d done a lot of acting lately.
“I can see I won’t have any intelligent conversation this evening.” He even mocked me while he used his napkin to wipe off his mouth.
I ignored him and ate the salad on my plate. The bits of chicken had been cast away to a saucer. While Alphonse had droned on about the stirrings among the Guild members, I’d plucked each of the pieces of chicken from the salad. A much more interesting task. But, I was at least paying some attention to him. Any juicy gossip would be to my advantage. I’d never know if I didn’t listen.
“I’m surprised you’re hanging on this long.” He eyed me with a grin, this time, while he sipped his drink. “A girl like you should’ve folded a long time ago. The General’s usually quite persuasive.”
I took another bite. Chewed for as long as possible. “I’m sure he is.”
His jaw twitched. “I’m curious to know why you’re fighting him.”
I didn’t reply but focused on the salad. It tasted quite good. I relished the crispiness of the lettuce.
“You’re putting innocent people in danger, Myrian citizens who depend on the military for protection.” He continued to stab at me with words. “Do you realize you’re preventing an important man from doing his job?” Even though a few of them hurt, that was all they were: words. Someone like Alphonse couldn’t do anything to me. At that very moment, this realization hit me.
“Number one, I have no intention of giving up,” I replied. “Number two, I’m trying to enjoy my meal.”
He laughed and then stared at me. “So this must be what he faces every day.” He put down his drink and leaned over the table. From his position across from me, I could make out the details on his black uniform: the insignias next to his lapel, the br
ass buttons along his chest. But that wasn’t what truly caught my eye. It was the streak of blue veins that peeked from the underside of his neck and touched the edge of his jaw. I clenched the fork tighter.
He continued. “But you won’t be the first or the last person to put up a fight. That is the way of the jungle. The hunter must feed and the prey must fall.”
Even though I couldn’t bury the thoughts of the blue markings on his neck, I replied to him with furor, “I bet you’re glad I’m not the body you chose. Would you be ready to hunt another tiger?”
His smile widened, making his boyish features sinister. “Under most circumstances, I would. Why do think most Guild members are so aggressive?”
I didn’t answer him.
“Because we have to be. Do you think I would’ve survived for the past one hundred and fifty years on charity and kindness?” He snorted. “I’ll live forever because I want to be in control. I deserve to be. It’s because of me my household has food, shelter, and their children will be educated.”
I wanted to reply back he paid a staff who’d raise their children—the cattle as Claire had said—to be the next harvest for the Guild. How helpful of him.
For the next half hour, we finished our meals and ate dessert. He tried to draw me into conversation again, but I didn’t take the bait. I wanted the meal to be over soon so I could meet Quinn.
When it was time for Alphonse to leave, he rose with a brief, “Have a good evening, sir. I hope next time you can make an appearance.” He stared at me, maybe hoping the General would come to the surface. When he didn’t, he left the room without saying goodbye to me. It was just as well. To him, I was a persistent burr in the General’s side.
Once I returned to the master suite, I dressed in a black jumpsuit and boots. A light cloak would keep me comfortable from the spring chill in the air. I left the master suite and headed down the darkened hallways toward the side entrance. As I approached the doors, two guards waited in front. If I played the role right, I could get past them with no problems.
“Business at the barracks, sir?” one of them asked me.
“Not at this time. I need to meet with someone at the guard post. Did Lieutenant Kelping have any trouble heading off after our meeting this evening?”
He opened the door, satisfied with my response. “None, sir.”
I clasped my hands behind my back and left the estate. As I walked across the grounds, I told myself not to look back. I couldn’t give them the impression that something was up.
Dagon’s estate was surrounded by two sets of fencing. Guard patrols with dogs walked the perimeter, and, during the day, the estate usually buzzed with activity from the staff. Just waltzing off the property was nearly impossible without walking through the two guard posts. Each guard post had at least three to four armed enforcers.
By the time I reached the first of the two guard posts, my stomach didn’t quake as much. Now I just needed to reach Quinn and hope the General had settled in for the night.
Quinn met me before I reached the gate. “You’re out late, sir. Do you need assistance?”
I took a deep breath. “It’s me, Quinn.”
His brow furrowed. “You shouldn’t be out here, miss.”
Since I’d forgotten the signal, I quickly covered my mouth. “Let’s just get on with it.”
He nodded to me with a handsome grin.
One of the older soldiers at the gate asked us if the General wanted something, but I waved him off and told him I had business with Quinn. Once past that point, we walked to the next gate, no more than a hundred feet or so away. Once there, I saw a familiar face. Corporal Bennett appeared in much better shape compared to when I’d last seen him after the attack at the pub. The guards stood at attention when I drew near.
“Good evening, sir,” Corporal Bennett said. “Another evening excursion?”
Quinn took over. “I’ll be escorting the General to a top secret location. We can’t disclose any details since they come directly from the Prime Minister himself. This conversation can’t be repeated, Corporal.”
Corporal Bennett nodded the whole time as Quinn kept speaking. “Of course.”
I kept my face blank the whole time. We left through the double gates without any interference. One of the guards even brought us a car once we walked through the gate. Quinn got behind the wheel, and I settled into the back seat.
As we left, the men appeared apprehensive, especially since I always travelled around with several bodyguards and Cecelia. But what could they do? An order was an order.
After about a mile or so down the road, Quinn pulled the car over. Beyond the windows, I saw nothing but countryside for miles. Beyond that, were the mountains.
Quinn twisted around in the seat and faced me. “There’s something we have to do.”
“And that would be?” I asked.
“Look, Tate, it’s not as if I don’t trust you.” He gestured to my head. “It’s the man who’s up in there I don’t trust.” From the front pocket of his uniform, he pulled out a black scarf and handcuffs. “I hope you don’t mind if I make you wear these.”
I shook my head and tried not to think about what could happen if the General woke up. “I understand.”
He leaned across the seat, far enough for him to wrap the scarf around my head. With an audible click, he locked the cold handcuffs on my wrists. “Once we’re there,” he said, “I’ll expect you to give me some private information I’ve shared with you.”
“No problem.”
With the cloth over my eyes, I tried to relax. Soon enough, I’d face people who’d help me. As to how they’d do it, I didn’t know.
I searched for other things to distract me. The sensation of the car driving down the road. The faint hum of the engine.
I wasn’t sure if I drifted away once or twice, but eventually the car stopped and Quinn helped me out of the car. At first, I thought we’d reached our destination, but he took my arm and led me. We had to be some place outside. A chilly breeze brushed against my face and slid up my nostrils. Then I caught a whiff of a pine forest, early spring blossoms, and damp earth.
“Watch your step.” He tapped one of my legs to make sure I stepped over something.
His large hand gripped mine tightly and made me follow close behind him. Branches cracked as he pushed them out of the way.
We walked for a while before I heard the hum of something large ahead of us. A high-pitched woman’s voice yelled at us, “About time you got here.”
Quinn bit back, “How about you try to leave a level 2 compound? See how fast you hightail it out of there.”
“Whatever. Get your butt in here before the air-network tracks us.” Her voice sounded as if she’d walked away from us.
The humming grew louder as Quinn led me up and into what felt like a transport ship. After he guided me to a seat, I felt the hum flowing through my boots and vibrating against my legs.
“Sit tight,” he said.
I settled into the seat and tried to stay calm. Then I sensed people closing in on me. One of them was close enough for me to hear something faintly clicking near my head. A weapon.
Quinn groaned from my far left. “Back off, guys. She’s not gonna jump us.”
“I don’t care how innocent she looks.” The girl on my right side sounded angry. “She’s infested with one of them.”
“Yeah, but pointing weapons at her isn’t necessary,” Quinn replied. “You scanned her. She’s free from tech, Felicity.”
The direction of the girl’s voice changed as we lifted off. “You should know him better than anyone else here, Quinn. Dagon’s dangerous. If you want to protect her so bad, then...” Her voice and Quinn’s trailed off until I couldn’t hear her anymore.
Time passed. Not sure how long. Then someone shifted in front of me to place cuffs on my ankles. With both my hands and legs bound, they had to feel secure now.
“A compromise,” Quinn whispered in my ear.
I kep
t my mouth shut and tried not to let the bindings bother me. No matter what I said, I probably couldn’t convince them I was safe. Even I had my own doubts.
People moved around me, but I couldn’t tell what they were doing. So I waited quietly. After some time, Quinn sat down beside me and took my hand. “You, okay?”
“As best as one can be with these things on.”
“You ever been arrested before?”
I gave a short laugh. “What do you think?”
“I think you’ve been such a good girl that being this close to people with las-guns is a shock to you.”
I was so tempted to ask them where we were going or what would happen to me. Did they have some kind of machine to help push out General Dagon? A drug to give me? Or maybe all of this was a ploy to get the General out of the compound so Quinn could get his revenge?
I gripped Quinn’s hand tighter, and he returned the gesture.
With the scarf over my eyes, I lost track of time. But soon enough, I detected our descent. Had an hour passed? I couldn’t be out all night or I might run into problems with Rebecca.
Once we landed, Quinn led me out of the transport ship. “Almost there.”
The air outside of the ship was far colder than the place from where we’d taken off. With my handcuffs on, I couldn’t draw the cloak closer around me. I wasn’t outdoors for long. A few steps outside and then they led me to another car. Far larger and roomier. How many places would they take me?
After the short car ride, we must’ve reached a building of some kind. The chill turned into the warmth of a room, a space that smelled of mold. I was led down a long set of stairs. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from asking anything.
I knew we’d reached our destination when Quinn took off the scarf but not the cuffs. The bright lights forced me to blink and adjust quickly. We stood in the middle of a large room with rows of crates along the concrete wall. There were only two doors in here, one to my left and another to my right. They surrounded me on all sides with guards.
A woman with a wry smile and hazel-colored eyes approached me from across the room. With such beautiful dark brown hair, her heart-shaped face didn’t seem to go with the dark blue uniform she had on. “So she made it this far,” the woman said to Quinn. “How do we know he hasn’t made an appearance?”
Under My Skin Page 17