by AR Colbert
But he took my hand and pushed me back, rolling onto his side so that I fell to the bed beside him, breaking our embrace.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my heavy breathing giving me away. “I’m sorry, I thought—”
Felix smiled and brushed a loose strand of hair from my face. “No, it’s okay. I loved it. I would kiss you all night. But I want you to want me for the right reasons. I don’t want pity kisses. And I don’t want to be a bandage for your own pain. I really care about you Claren. And I can wait until I know that you really care about me, too.”
He kissed my forehead and stood. With the doorknob in his hand, he turned to face me one last time. “Goodnight beautiful. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I held it together until the door closed behind him, and then I soaked my pillow in tears.
CHAPTER 24
I met Felix in the study the next morning after breakfast. Neither of us mentioned the kiss, but something had definitely shifted in our relationship. I didn’t know what it was. And honestly, I didn’t know if I wanted it. But I’d crossed a line and it was too late to go back.
He was right though. I kissed him to feel better. And in the light of a new day, it proved to be a temporary fix. I hated that my mind still drifted to Raf. I hated that I was still so angry with him. It would have been so much easier to drop him and move on.
With a hot cup of tea in hand, Felix and I settled into our armchairs and resumed our conversation from the night before.
“I think you’re right,” Felix said. “The Exiled have probably moved to another campsite. But they can’t have gone too far.”
I pouted across from him. “It’s been three days. They could be halfway across the country by now.”
“But why would they? This is the area they know best. And I imagine they’re pretty angry. I doubt they’d flee to another city entirely before getting revenge on the people here. The real question is who will they attack first? Classen City or the Embers?”
I rubbed my forehead, thinking through the details. “Frank said they usually stick close to the river. It makes sense, because they’d get caught if they were spotted on any of the main roads. If they’re still around, I bet they’ll be near the water.”
“Good thinking,” Felix said. “Want me to call Emilio and see if he’s got another drone ready to send out?”
“No. Even if we somehow located their new camp, I don’t think I’ll be able to get in and place the amplifier with the Exiled there. I don’t want a repeat of last time. There has to be another way.”
We sat silently for a moment before Felix spoke again. “You said they steal food and supplies when they attack, right?”
“That’s right.”
“I think I may have an idea.” Felix leaned forward. “But we’re going to need your team.”
I shook my head. “No. Rider is still recovering, and now that I know my dad is somewhere out there I don’t want Aiden going anywhere near him. And Dax...” I sighed. “Honestly, I’ve just about had enough of Dax. He can rest here and we’ll both be happier for it.”
Felix frowned. “Emilio won’t be of much help after they’re located. I’d go with you if I could. I’d go in your place if I could. But Emmaline would throw a fit. There’s one other guy I trust, if you’re willing to give someone new a chance.”
“If you say you trust him, then that’s good enough for me.”
“Great. I’ll make a few calls this afternoon and hopefully we can get everything rolling in the morning.”
The next day I was surprised to find Emilio at the breakfast table chatting with Felix. He was highly caffeinated, speaking with even more animation than usual. But the overall vibe was happy. Excited.
That was good news for me. Felix had spent the rest of the day before in his office on the phone. He told me to rest and refused to let me take part in the planning. I puttered around the house, trying to nap here and there, but my belly was a ball of nerves. I was glad to see Emilio smiling now. The planning must have gone well.
“Morning, boys.” I took my seat and immediately had food placed in front of me by the attendants.
“Good morning, beautiful.” Felix grinned.
I waited until the room was cleared again and whispered. “Is everything in place for today?”
Emilio nodded like a shaken rag doll. He was positively giddy.
Felix shot him an admonishing look. “We can discuss the details after breakfast.” Though even he looked like he could barely contain his excitement.
It was contagious. My nerves didn’t disappear, but they swelled into an anxious eagerness. I practically inhaled my toast and sausage, chugged a glass of orange juice, and tripped over my feet trying to get into the study. I couldn’t wait to hear what was planned.
I paced in front of the fireplace in the study, waiting for Felix to close the door and join us. “So what’s the plan? Did everything come together? Are we going Outside today?” I looked at Emilio. “Did you get the drone fixed?”
“Even better,” Emilio said. “Not only did I get a new drone put together, but I’ve already located the Exiled camp.”
“What? When?”
“Come on,” Felix said. “Let’s sit down and talk about it.”
“I don’t think I can. I’ve got way too much energy right now.”
Emilio laughed. “I can totally relate. Being out there yesterday was a rush. I can’t wait to see you take them out today.”
“Yesterday!? You already went Outside? With who?”
“With John Michael.”
“John Michael?” I frowned at Felix. What in the world was going on here? Who was John Michael?
“Right.” Felix gestured toward my usual armchair again. I sat, but just barely on the edge, my knees bouncing without end.
“I mentioned yesterday that there was another guy I trusted. John Michael. He and Emilio scouted the river yesterday, like you suggested.”
“And we found ‘em!” Emilio added enthusiastically.
“They did. And I think they found the answer to our question about who would be attacked first, as well. The Exiled have moved down the river, closer to Classen City.”
“Oh no.” I gasped. “How close are they?”
“Closer than I’d prefer.” Felix’s smile was gone. “So it’s good that we’re not delaying any longer. But I’d like you to reconsider taking the rest of your team.”
“Felix, I told you. I can’t trust Aiden. He’s bloodthirsty. If anyone I care about got in his way...” My voice trailed off. Knowing my dad was alive out there changed everything. “And Dax and Rider need to finish recovering. You said so yourself.”
Felix nodded. “I thought you might say that. I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Emilio to help us keep you safe today.”
Emilio was definitely not a fighter. I’d probably be safer if he didn’t tag along. He ruffled through his bag and pulled out a cardboard square with a small, flat black circle adhered to it.
“It’s another tracker.” Emilio wrinkled his nose apologetically. “This one will be placed directly on your skin. It’s got a really strong adhesive, so even if you fall into the river it should stay put. But don’t fall into the river, please. It won’t protect you from hypothermia.”
“I don’t plan on it. But I also don’t plan on being tracked again. We’re supposed to be stealth here. Justice Hines will lose her mind if she finds out we’re going Outside without her approval.”
“Right.” Emilio pulled a small screen out of his bag next. “That’s why Felix here is the only person with access to your data. No one else will be able to see where you are.”
“I can’t just send you out there alone,” Felix pleaded. “I’ve got to make sure you’re safe. Especially after what happened last time. I can’t lose you again.”
“I won’t be alone. I have the protection of the mysterious John Michael.” I raised my brows for emphasis.
“John Michael is good,” Emilio said. “But
so is Rider. And you still got taken from under his nose. I agree with Felix. We need to keep an eye out, just in case. Though I really don’t see how this plan could fail.” He grinned again.
“Fine.” It was irritating that they felt like I needed a babysitter at all times. “So let’s get to it then. I still don’t even know what the plan is.”
“Well we definitely don’t want you walking into their camp again. So we’ve got to find a different way to get the tech inside. And if you’re not bringing it in there, then we need them to bring it in themselves.”
“Okay...” I wasn’t following.
“They like to steal food. You said they took a bunch of cattle from the Ember camp, right? Well what if we deliver food and supplies—including the amplifier—right to their doorstep and let them bring it in?”
“How are we supposed to do that?”
“John Michael is one of the guards for Cormack Bell, the Director of Health and Welfare.”
I remembered Cormack from our first meeting in Felix’s inner circle. He was one of the friendlier Leaders, if I recalled.
“As such,” Felix checked his watch, “he’s often involved with the transportation of food and medicine from the government-run farms and facilities that still operate outside of city limits. We asked him to call in a favor.”
“And we set a trap!” Emilio clapped his hands together.
“But we need to get moving if we want the timing to work. John Michael can explain more as you go.”
“And where is this famous John Michael?”
“He’s at his dad’s house. And he’s probably getting pretty impatient right now.”
I could relate.
“Yep.” Emilio stood and handed me a backpack. “Let’s get going.”
“I’ve got to go into the office today, but I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Felix tapped the screen Emilio gave him earlier.
“Wait!” Emilio said. “That only works if she’s actually wearing the tracker.” He handed me the small cardboard square.
“I just stick it on my skin?” I asked.
“Yeah, but you’ll need to make sure it’s out of sight. We don’t want anyone to know you’re being tracked or they’ll get rid of the device like last time. Put it under your shirt or something.”
I met Felix’s eyes and his cheeks flushed. “Can you help me?”
“I—uh. I mean, if you need me to...”
He was cute when he stuttered. I turned away from the boys and pulled my shirt up to expose the length of my spine.
“Whoa! Don’t mind me here,” Emilio said loudly. “I’ll cover my eyes!”
I chuckled. It was just my back. I held the cardboard square over my shoulder and Felix’s heartbeat was hammering in my ears as he slowly approached me and took the device. He peeled the adhesive backing off, and barely whispered, “Where do you want me to put this?”
“Just somewhere in the middle is fine.”
He gulped and placed the small black circle to the right of my spine, just above the closure of my bra. His warm hand smoothed it flat against my skin, and his touch sent goosebumps sprawling across my back and down my arms.
He didn’t linger. Though I wouldn’t have minded much if he had. His face was still red when I turned around and pulled my shirt back down over my exposed skin. I met his eyes and suppressed a grin.
“Alrighty then,” Emilio stood awkwardly, looking back and forth between Felix and me with wide eyes.
“Right, yeah.” Felix combed his tan fingers through his golden blond hair. “You have a walkie in your bag as well, but only use it if you really need to. We can’t guarantee any privacy there.”
“Technically the Leadership here could find your channel and listen in. IF the signal reaches far enough to communicate at all.” Emilio shook his head. So the walkies were obviously out.
“And I don’t want to add any extra pressure or anything.” Felix crossed his arms over his chest, rocking gently on his feet. “But we need this to work today. With as close as they are to the city, I’m worried there will be an attack if we don’t interfere quickly.”
“And if we do succeed?” I asked. “How are we supposed to explain ourselves to Dimitri and the rest of the Triple-T Leadership? They’re not going to be happy.”
“It’s a lot easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission,” Felix said. “Just make sure you get the job done, and they won’t have anything to be upset about.”
CHAPTER 25
With a heavy bag slung over my shoulder and the hood of my jacket pulled up over my head, I walked quickly down the sidewalk, Emilio by my side. The air was beginning to warm slightly as winter rolled over to spring, but there was still a bite to the wind. Thankfully we didn’t have far to go.
John Michael lived in an apartment with other Protectors for the Leadership, but it wasn’t located in the Center. His father, on the other hand, had been serving the Leadership for his entire life, and after his wife passed away they moved him into a small home just inside the Center walls. Emilio explained that this house is where he first learned about the Embers. It served as a post of sorts for the Embers when they needed to communicate directly with the Leadership on the inside—those who were friendly to their cause, anyway. And John Michael’s father was evidently the messenger.
We stepped onto a small cement slab outside of the man’s front door, and Emilio tapped out a very deliberate knock, knock-knock, knock, knock.
The knob turned and a familiar set of kind brown eyes greeted me from the other side. “Come in, come in,” the older man said.
Once inside I pushed Emilio in the arm. “Why didn’t you tell me it was James?!”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t relevant.”
James laughed. “Hello, Ms. Greenwood.”
I grinned. It was relevant to me. James was the first kind face I saw here in the Center. And he may be the only one outside of my immediate circle. Knowing I’d be working with his son brought a sense of comfort.
He ushered us into his small living room and a younger version of himself stood and extended a hand. “John Michael,” he said.
“I’m Claren. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too.” He looked at his dad, his respect for the man evident. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
James shrugged with a grin. “What can I say? I had a feeling about you.” His eyes sparkled with secrets and I suspected he knew me much better than I knew him.
“So,” John Michael rubbed his hands together, “are you ready to go?”
Emilio gave me a tight nod. “I loaded up your bag with a walkie, two amplifiers, water, snacks, and your stun gun of course. I’d say you’re all set.”
“I guess I am,” I said.
“Excellent. Dad’s got us covered here.” He turned to face his father. “We’ll be back before you know it. Thanks again for letting us use your place.”
“It’s my honor,” James said, patting his son on the back.
I followed John Michael over to a closet door in the hall. I hadn’t considered we’d be using the same underground tunnels my brother used to escape, but I supposed that made the best sense for this scenario. A thrill of excitement pulsed through my veins as they pulled the door open and pried at the floorboards.
I knew these tunnels existed, of course, but I’d never actually seen them for myself. Raf mentioned before that there was an entire underground network of them, abandoned infrastructure from before the Great War. The Embers had taken over their use to travel in and out of the city. Somehow using these secret passages made me feel like a real part of the rebel movement. I was a real Ember.
I stepped onto the dimly lit staircase after John Michael and turned to wave goodbye to Emilio and James. No matter what the next few hours held, it was an honor to work alongside such quality people. James slid the floor covering back into place as we descended the stairs and my eyes worked to adjust to the low light ahead. John Michael flicked on a flashli
ght to illuminate our way, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
The tunnels were dark, but surprisingly cleaner than I’d anticipated. I’d expected sludge and bugs and stench. And there were definitely cobwebs and plenty of dust, but it wasn’t out of control. I wondered just how frequently these tunnels were traversed.
“Hey John, how far is it to the edge?” I asked.
John Michael was marching quickly ahead, a man on a mission. I fell into step behind him, doing my best just to keep up.
“It’s John Michael,” he said. Then he smiled over his shoulder. “Sorry, I’m not being rude about it. I’m just a little weird about my name. John sounds so boring. I’d much rather be a John Michael than a boring old John.”
“Got it. How far to the edge, John Michael?” I flashed a smile back at him to let him know I wasn’t offended. But my smile quickly faltered when he answered.
“Six miles.”
“Six miles?!” I thought he said this was going to be quick.
“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna make you walk the whole way. I heard you’re a pretty good runner.”
I started to object as we rounded a turn, and he flashed his light into a nook off to the left. Two bicycles sat propped up on kickstands. “Just kidding. You do know how to ride, right?”
I laughed. “Very funny. I used to ride when I was a kid. But my tire went flat and we couldn’t afford another inner tube at the time, so I haven’t done it in years.”
“I’m sure you’ll pick it right back up.”
He gestured toward one of the bikes and I swung my leg over. It was a little too tall for me, and I was completely unsteady at first, but within minutes I was flying through the tunnels behind him. “Slow down! I’m still trying to get the hang of this,” I called out.
“Can’t slow down!” he shouted over his shoulder. “It’s almost time!”
The tunnels were unmarked. If I hadn’t had him there to lead me through I would have most certainly gotten myself lost. But he seemed quite confident in the direction we should go. We passed several offshoots and different staircases and ladders on our way. One of them probably led up into the hall closet of my childhood home.