Hangman's Army: Lake Of Sins, #3

by L. S. O'Dea

  “Kim, take my advice.” Mom’s voice had hardened with anger. “Find someone in your own class to love. It’s better for everyone.”

  “Especially, your offspring.” She threw that over her shoulder as a parting shot.

  “That goes for you too, Trinity. Kim’s brother is not the right male for you.”

  She stilled. Mom had hit her mark. Embarrassment flooded through her as she stormed out of the tent.

  “Trinity, wait.” Kim followed her.

  She stopped, unable to meet Kim’s eyes. “Jackson is with Hugh.” She pointed to the Almighty’s tent.

  “I don’t care. He obviously doesn’t want to be with me, so I don’t want to be around him.”

  “He loves you.” She glanced up at the other female.

  “No, he doesn’t.” Kim’s eyes glistened. “Do you really think so?”

  “It’s written all over his face when he looks at you, even when you aren’t looking at him.” Kim and Jackson still had a chance. It might take some work but they loved each other and that was all that mattered. “I’m sorry that I got him involved.”

  “It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. He could’ve done something so that we could still be together.” Kim took Trinity’s hand. “Please don’t hate me. I’m saying this because you’re my friend.”

  She swallowed. She knew what was coming.

  “You need to forget about Jethro.”

  “I don’t—”

  “He’s different since my dad’s death. He’s angry and...you shouldn’t hold out hope. The boy you knew is gone. I pray that he’ll come back, but—”

  “I don’t have feelings for your brother.” She was tired of no one believing her about that. If she told her parents and friends that she didn’t like Jethro, they should believe her whether it was true or not.

  “Okay,” said Kim softly. “It’s just that I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “Trust me, Jethro can’t hurt me.” Not anymore. He’d forgotten about her, ignored her for years. He couldn’t hurt her worse than that. “How did you get away today? Weren’t you being watched because of Hugh’s escape?”

  “I snuck out of the house.”

  “You’re sure you weren’t followed.” She nodded at the two Guards who’d arrived with Kim. “Except for them.”

  “Yeah.” Kim shifted closer and whispered. “Don’t say anything to anyone, but there’s a tunnel that leads from our house to the Lake of Sins.”

  “Where? Jethro and I spent hours looking for those tunnels.” Her face flushed. He’d betrayed her even then. “I guess he found that pretty funny.”

  “He doesn’t know about it. Jackson and I found the secret passageway when we were kids and we never told him. I would’ve, but at first he was too little and then he got hurt.”

  “Oh. Okay.” She breathed easier now. Jethro might not remember she exists but at least he hadn’t been laughing at her behind her back.

  “He really did like you back then.” Kim squeezed her hand.

  “It doesn’t matter.” But the words helped. At the time, she’d been sure that he’d liked her but she’d been fooled before by Randy.

  “I’m sorry that he did this. He should’ve at least spoken to you. He owed you that much, but with what happened to Dad...and then he went away to college.”

  “With all the other girls.” She tried to keep her tone light but she failed.

  “Yeah.” Kim’s eyes were sad. “This happens to all of us. It hurts and it stinks but it is part of finding the right guy.”

  She looked up, fighting the tears. It seemed to happen to her a lot. “Is he seeing someone?”

  “Not right now. At least, not that I know of, but he was dating a girl last year.”

  “An Almighty girl?” She couldn’t keep the bitterness from her voice.

  “Yes.” Kim hugged her. “You’ll find someone. Someone who deserves you. Someone better than my stupid brother.”

  “That’s not very loyal.” She laughed. It felt good to have someone on her side for a change.

  Kim stepped back, arms folded over her chest. “I can be honest and loyal. I love Jethro but he’s being a jerk.”

  “You’re right.” She was pathetic, pining after a guy who hadn’t thought twice about her in years. She was done. “I will find someone else. I’m done with your brother.” She wiped the tears off her cheeks. “I mean it this time. Now, let’s talk about more important things. If you like, I can let you know when we move camp.”

  “You’d do that?” Kim’s face brightened.

  “Of course. You and Jackson belong together.”

  “No. I made it clear that I loved him and he made it clear that he doesn’t want me in his life.” Kim’s jaw hardened. “I won’t chase after him. If a man wants a woman he has to earn her, and Jackson threw me away.” Her voice cracked again.

  She couldn’t let Kim and Jackson’s relationship end like this. Bonding between an Almighty and someone in another class could work. All they needed was a little help. “You can come and visit me.”

  Jackson and Hugh stepped out of the tent. Jackson froze, his eyes locked on Kim.

  Kim glared at him and then turned and smiled at her. “I will.” She leaned in to whisper. “At the base of the statue of the little girl is a small indentation. Push there and the door opens. Follow the tunnel and you’ll end up in our basement.” She shot an angry glance at Jackson. “Are you okay with tight spaces? The tunnel has some very narrow sections.”

  She nodded. The entry and the exit in some of the caves were narrow. She didn’t like it but as long as she remained calm it was okay. She glanced at the two huge Guards that had come with Kim.

  “They don’t know about the tunnel. They meet me at the Lake of Sins and leave me there.” Kim’s eyes roamed over the two Guards and she shook her head. “They’d never fit through the passageway.”

  Jackson moved closer, tipping his head. He was trying to catch what they were saying. She linked her arm with Kim’s and walked a few paces in the opposite direction from the Guard.

  “I’ll only go to your house the first night of the full moon, if I come at all.”

  “I’ll make sure I’m home and I’ll sneak out and visit you often. Just because Jackson and I are no longer together doesn’t mean you and I can’t stay friends.” Kim gave her a quick hug and then strode toward Hugh and Jackson. She hugged Hugh, kissing him on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re safe.” She brushed past Jackson without a word and disappeared into the forest, her Guards trailing behind her.

  Jackson’s jaw clenched as he watched her leave. Trinity couldn’t stop smiling. The Guard was jealous and angry. She’d take lessons from Kim. The next time she saw Jethro, she’d ignore him and that might make him jealous.

  Jackson stumbled to his tent and her eyes landed on Hugh. He was glaring at her. She cocked a brow. She had no idea why he was mad and she didn’t care. She had a lot to do. Walnuts were ready to harvest and she needed to collect some before the forest animals ate all of them. She turned and slipped into the brush.

  She stopped several yards into the forest. Something was following her. It was loud but not moving fast. She sighed. It was Hugh; it had to be. Predators weren’t that loud even when running. She waited. After a few moments he lurched through the bushes. “Could you be any louder?” She sniffed. “And you reek of alcohol.”

  “I had a couple of drinks.” His words slurred slightly.

  “The smell might keep some of the predators from eating you.” She sniffed again, wrinkling her nose even though it wasn’t a bad smell. It was kind of citrusy with a hint of oak and male.

  “Good. A few less to worry about.” He swayed slightly.

  She frowned. That wasn’t any fun. The comment about his scent would’ve driven him crazy before his imprisonment. Of course, back then he would’ve never been caught in a hand-me-down shirt and ripped jeans.

  “Jackson’s right. Kim’s better off away from here. Away from him,” he sa
id.

  “Go back to camp.” He was such a male. So sure he knew best.

  “Stay out of it.” He grabbed her arm before she could leave.

  “I’m not getting involved.” She jerked free from his grasp. “Kim and I are friends. Just because you saw us talking doesn’t mean—”

  “Stop lying.”

  “Who do you—”

  He leaned closer. “I know.”

  “You don’t know anything.” He was so arrogant and bossy. She couldn’t remember why saving him had seemed like a good idea.

  “I know females. You think you’re sly but you’re not. You and Kim were concocting some plan to do something you believe is brilliant, but it’s not. It’s stupid.”

  “So now, you’re High Hugh the mind reader?” There was no way he’d heard them.

  “Don’t call me that.” His face hardened and he swayed slightly.

  “Or what?” she asked. He was drunk. This could be fun.

  He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a second like he was praying for patience, and then stumbled, hitting his back against a tree. His eyes popped open, surprised and then embarrassed.

  She couldn’t help it. She burst out laughing. “Go back to your tent and get some sleep.”

  “Not before you promise to leave Jackson and Kim alone.” He stepped forward and put his finger on her lips to stop her from replying.

  She fought the urge to bite him.

  “If you care even a little for Kim, leave her out of this.” He waved his hand and somehow managed not to fall. “This forest, this fight is not for her.”

  He was right and that rankled, but she wasn’t going to give up on Kim and Jackson. They loved each other. They should be together. End of story. “You’re right, this fight isn’t hers, but it is yours.”

  “It is.” He nodded, swaying again.

  “You’ve changed your mind. You’re going to help us?” She wanted to hug him.

  “I never said that I wouldn’t help, but my way is better. Once my lab is ready, I’ll get the proof that I need and then—”

  Now, she wanted to slap him. “Then you’ll what? Send it to other people who don’t care and get arrested again?” She started walking. “That worked so well for you the last time.”

  “The last time, I was betrayed.” He trailed after her.

  “Any guarantee you won’t be this time?”

  “It didn’t go the way that I’d expected, but it did work. According to you, this revolution started because of my findings.” He poked her on the shoulder. “The scientific proof that I discovered in my lab.”

  The urge to turn and shove him was almost overwhelming, but he’d have that superior smirk on his face and if she saw that, she wasn’t sure that she could keep her claws to herself. “You’re the figurehead. The face the others follow. That’s all.”

  “I won’t be of any use to you in the battles. I’m an Almighty and you’ve made it abundantly clear how useless I am...physically.” The last word came out as if it had to be forced past his lips. “I can’t hear well, see well and my sense of smell is almost non-existent compared to the rest of you. I’ll be of best use in the lab.”

  He was arguing with himself now and that meant that he was considering helping them. A little more pushing and he might budge. “That’s not true.” She glanced back at him. “Well, some of it is.”

  He made a face at her and she laughed.

  “With you leading, the others will follow.” Without thinking, she grabbed his hand. It was warm and calloused. “The classes will join forces instead of fighting each other. They’ll listen to you.”

  He stared at their hands for a moment and then pulled free. “I can’t.” He walked back toward camp.

  “You’re right. You are useless.” She raised her voice, something she never did in the forest. “You’re even louder than the Producers when they stomp around.”

  He stopped, fists clenched at his sides. Good. She’d nicked his pride.

  “If you’re such an expert”—he turned toward her—“then teach me.”

  Her mouth dropped open. She hadn’t expected that.

  CHAPTER 25: JETHRO

  JETHRO’S STOMACH CLENCHED AND his head throbbed as he followed Afar, the professor’s middle-aged House Servant, down the hallway. He could find his way to the study with his eyes closed, but the professor was a stickler for formality. Afar knocked on the door. Normally, he’d push into the room at this point, but today he didn’t want to do anything that might irritate the professor. He needed money and he had no one else to ask.

  “Jethro Remore to see you, sir,” said Afar.

  The professor sat behind his desk and glanced up over his glasses, a warm smile spreading across his face as he closed the book he’d been reading. “Jethro, I didn’t expect to see you so soon. Usually, it takes a few days before you flee your house.”

  He slipped past Afar and flopped on the chair across from the professor. This was his haven, his home away from home.

  “Are you hungry?” Conguise didn’t wait for his answer. “Afar, bring us a tray of sandwiches. Use the roast that I cooked last night.”

  Afar glided away, closing the door behind him. Jethro’s stomach rumbled. He was starving. His mom and Kim no longer ate meat and their vegetarian dishes were not good.

  “Are you feeling okay? You looked flushed,” said Conguise.

  “I’m fine.” He held up his hand, halting the professor from leaving his chair. He didn’t need his temperature taken.

  “Forgive me, but I worry about you.”

  “I know and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Do for me.” This was a good time to ask for the loan, but he hesitated. It might ruin their relationship and he wasn’t sure he could handle that. Conguise was like a father to him.

  “I enjoy every minute.” Conguise’s eyes hardened for a moment. “You’re all I have now.”

  He glanced away, shifting in his seat. He didn’t want to talk about the Night of the Trackers. Hugh had kept quiet about his, Kim, and Jackson’s involvement in the plan that had caused Viola’s death, and every time that night was mentioned his stomach clenched with guilt. The professor would hate him if he ever found out. “My head does hurt a little but that’s normal. I’m only a few days away from my shot.”

  “How bad is it?”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. “About a six. I’ve had worse.” They always used a scale of one to ten.

  “When? Last you told me, the headaches were gone.” The professor’s tone was angry.

  “Before finals.” He stared at his clenched hands. “Before coming home.” Whenever he was here the memories of Trinity and that night filled his head. Sometimes, when he was at school she slipped into his dreams but those were erotic. They were never mixed with the death of his father. No, those nightmares waited to haunt him in his bed, in his house.

  “Stress can trigger changes in the body.” The professor opened a drawer and pulled out a syringe. “A few days early won’t hurt you. Are you feeling angry too?”

  The memories that caused his headaches were raw and hot, tempting him to anger at the least provocation, but today, although the blood pounded in his veins it wasn’t in anger. Restlessness was also normal before his shots. “No, not really.”

  “Jethro, something is bothering you.” Conguise opened another drawer and retrieved an empty syringe and large rubber band. “I need to know what it is. I may have to adjust your med—”

  “It has nothing to do with my shots.” He rolled up his sleeve.

  “You don’t understand the intricacies of this medicine, this entire procedure.” The professor walked over to him.

  He laughed. It was a sad sound. “Believe me, I wish it could be fixed by changing the dosage of my medication.” He stared up at the professor. “I can’t go back to school.”

  “Why not? You have one more semester before you graduate.” The professor handed him the needles and tied the band around Jethro’s arm.
“Make a fist.”

  His father had taught him not to accept charity and to never air family laundry in front of strangers, but the professor wasn’t a stranger. “We don’t have the money.” His face heated. They’d never been rich but they’d always managed to pay their bills. Not anymore. Not since his father’s death.

  “Ahh. I can see why you’re angry.”

  “Disappointed,” he corrected.

  “Not even a little angry? It’d be understandable if you were.” The professor took Jethro’s wrist and straightened his arm, tapping on his vein.

  “You’re right. I’m pissed. Dad had the money for my college set aside. If Mom and Kim had...run the business correctly, then we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

  “You mean slaughter the Producers for consumption.” Conguise took the empty syringe from Jethro and jabbed it into the boy’s arm, drawing a vial of blood.

  “Yes.” He shoved the image of Trinity’s face from his mind. He wasn’t a child any longer with naïve beliefs. All classes had their purpose and meat was the fate of Producers. It was the way life had always been. It was the right way. Plus, with those teeth and claws, she was a House Servant not a Producer.

  “I’m glad you no longer harbor any sentimental feelings for Producers.” The professor handed the blood-filled syringe to Jethro and took the one loaded with medicine.

  He fought the urge to fidget in his seat. He didn’t have feelings for Trinity. He did not. It was her fault his father was dead, hers and Hugh’s. The professor plunged the needle into Jethro’s arm, injecting him with the serum.

  He closed his eyes as the liquid raced through his veins, bringing with it calmness and peace. His heartbeat slowed and his headache dissipated. His eyes grew heavy. He wanted to curl up and sleep.

  Afar carried in a tray and sat it on the table next to him.

  “Please, eat.” The professor collected the equipment and returned to his desk.

  The scent of hot, roasted meat made his stomach growl and his eyes pop open. Food was more important than sleep. He grabbed a sandwich and bit into it—delicious as always.