The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2)

by Jacqueline Wrenley

  He paused. Staring and seemed to be studying my face with his eyes then replied, “We just need you to employ Thomas and his men as your drivers and servants, and then they’ll do the rest.”

  “They’ll find it suspicious if I hire new help for the manor.”

  “Yes my Lord in Pinewood but not in Sunglow.”

  I was silent. It was possible to hire new people for the trip to Sunglow without anyone or even Andrew noticing but still everything in me was skeptical about the plan.

  “If I do hire Thomas and he abducts the Prince, you know they‘ll be tracing it back to me,” I commented unenthusiastically.

  “Not when Thomas and his men will be replacing the Prince’s driver and escorts my Lord. Lady Elaine’s servants and driver in Sunglow are allowed to stay inside the compounds of the Prince’s manor to continue serving her during her stay, making this feasible.”

  “Won’t the other escorts notice Thomas and his men’s faces when they are in the car?”

  “They already thought of a plan my Lord. Thomas and his men would be in disguised when they arrive at the Prince’s manor and remove it when it’s time. Besides, no one ever takes notice of a Delta especially from an Elite’s household. The Prince’s security doesn’t have a reason to doubt an Elite and their servants, they won’t suspect anything from a high station. They’ll be looking out for criminals or Defiers, but not Elites.”

  “I don’t want Lady Elaine’s life to be in danger,” I reluctantly admitted.

  “She won’t be my Lord, you don’t even have to tell her of the plan.”

  “She’ll take notice, she knows Thomas,” I insisted. I paused and added in a defeated tone, “I’ll have to think about this first.”

  “As much as I would love to give you all the time my Lord but this might be the last time we will see each other. I’m sorry but I need your decision today with all due respect.”

  “You’re asking too much from me.”

  “Not as much as what some are risking for the cause my Lord.”

  This was what Ryder wanted, and they were just waiting for the opportunity. I knew they needed me for this to work and I was not expecting this big of a scale but I already gave my word I would help and I was too involved with them to back out now.

  “Alright, tell Olfren to have Thomas and his men ready. We have an apartment in Sunglow, I’ll make the arrangements with the household to accommodate them as the new drivers and servants for Lady Elaine. They’ll be given new uniforms and will be told what to do. Please make sure they already have their disguises on when they arrive,” I instructed.

  “Yes my Lord, and when will you be arriving?”

  “Ten days from today. There’s plenty of time for the preparation, and tell him to take extra precaution they wouldn’t be able to trace this back to me, understood?” I commanded strictly emphasizing the importance of my last words.

  He nodded. “Understood my Lord.”

  I was contented with his answer and with that I turned around without saying another word and left the house. I proceeded to where Captain Furlong and the Protectors were, passing through houses while some townsfolk continued to glare with hostility.

  Not wasting any time I walked faster until I found them inside the town hall with the other Protectors interrogating three townsfolk who were on their knees with their faces severely beaten. I went over to where the Captain was standing and he didn’t seem to mind where I had gone off to.

  “Do we have our men Captain?” I asked sounding authoritative.

  “We don’t know yet my Lord. They refuse to talk,” he informed in his usual stern voice.

  We watched the Protectors continued to punch them on the face without mercy, asking if they were a Defier or a supporter, but they persisted with their silence. There were grunts and the sound of jaw breaking when fist came in contact to face echoed the empty hall. The one in the middle spit blood from his mouth on the floor and suddenly laughed menacingly through his broken teeth.

  “Like I told you before, we can’t tell you because we don’t know anything,” he said, still laughing.

  A Protector strikes him hard on the gut with the blunt handle of his firearm and the blow caused him to fell over his sides and coughed repeatedly. The interrogation was going on for quite some time, and Captain Furlong grew impatient. He then went to the other man kneeling on the right and grabbed a handful of his hair at the back of his head and roared angrily at his face.

  “Talk! Or you’ll suffer a fate much worse than his,” Captain Furlong threatened.

  The man was trembling then briefly glanced at the man lying on the floor, he was about to speak but a loud commotion from outside interrupted him. We stood our ground listening and staring at the closed doors of the town hall confused, then suddenly it burst wide open and a group of raging and screaming men armed with wooden clubs swarmed inside the hall. The Protectors were about to fire but were overcome by the storming mob, attacking them with a blow using their clubs.

  I fell on the floor after I was pushed by the wave of people who violently fought through the Protector’s defenses. There was a hard kick on my stomach, clubs striking my arms, legs and back relentlessly while I cowered and protected my face and head. For each blow, I gritted my teeth to bear the pain and I wanted to get away but I couldn’t move. I was about to shout stop but no words came out, and then I heard a gunshot and followed by more.

  The assault from the crowd finally stopped and an arm strongly yanked me up to my feet. I groaned and tried my best to stand and bore the tremendous pain all over my body. The crowd dispersed, some ran frantically outside but some remained and attacked the incoming Protectors who came to our rescue. Captain Furlong continued to hold me up with one hand while he fired towards the crowd with the other. I fell on my knees despite his effort to keep me upright, unable to withstand the pain.

  The Captain bellowed a command, “Get up my Lord!”

  It took me awhile but I did oblige struggling and holding on to his shoulders. He led me outside and wobbled our way back to the transport ship firing at anyone who came towards our direction. It was raining and the wet ground made it hard to keep up with his pace. We finally boarded the ship and he set me down on the nearest seat then shouted to the pilot in the cockpit to take off.

  The ship’s wide door slowly closed, I saw from there the Protectors firing at the people who were about to attack as chaos intensified under the heavy rain. Screams and gunshots were heard until it was muffled when the heavy door finally closed and locked.

  We were on the air, I was trembling, wet and cold, and the pain became intense as the adrenaline gradually subsided. I looked over at the Captain who was surprisingly unharmed and unscathed.

  “What happened back there?” I asked confused by the commotion.

  He answered, “They were after you my Lord.”

  ***

  I was sitting on the infirmary bed back at the manor. The staff changed me from my wet clothes to a more comfortable all white infirmary t-shirt and cotton lose pants. A doctor was summoned and when he arrived, he examined immediately ignoring my grimacing face. He gave reassuring news after he was done that I was not seriously injured and no bones were broken, just badly bruise all over. He placed cold packs on the discolored areas of my body and gave me a pill for the pain and insisted I take some rest. Every part of my body was aching when I lay on the bed. I was leaning on the bed’s headboard with a pillow underneath. I was numb and exhausted but my mood changed when I saw Ellie bounding towards me looking extremely worried. She gave me a tight hug disregarding my injuries and I groaned from the pain.

  “Ellie, you’re crushing me,” I lightly chuckled.

  She finally let go and gazed at me, “Are you alright? I was so worried when I heard what happened.”

  I smiled. “Just some bruises, other than that I’m fine.”

  Andrew abruptly entered with a glum expression with Mr. Logan and Captain Furlong right behind him. I wasn’t expecti
ng him here and I doubt he came to show his concerns for me. He commanded the staff and doctor to leave the room immediately and they obeyed. Ellie remained close beside me as if fearing what Andrew might do at that very moment, showing all his frustration and disappointment.

  He stood at the foot of the bed and sighed heavily. “Riots are breaking out everywhere. We are convinced the three you interrogated were Defiers who escaped after the attack.”

  He was pacing angrily back and forth. “We almost had them and now it would be impossible to find them again when the people are now taking up arms against their Duke. If only you had done your job faster, none of this would have happened,” he shouted his last words furiously, blaming me for something entirely out of my control, typical Andrew, I wasn’t at all surprised so I remained silent not daring to aggravate his already foul mood.

  “So…” he continued after he calmed down and stopped pacing, “I want you to make it up to me.”

  “Your grace, forgive me, it’d be unwise to let Lord Curtis return out there,” Captain Furlong interrupted.

  Andrew gave him a stern look and said, “Of course it is unwise! He is useless to us out there now.” Then he turned his stare back at me. “You are going to Sunglow with her, right?” He nodded towards Ellie then continued, “I want you to go to Duke Rectner and ask for reinforcements.”

  I wasn’t thrilled of the idea of going to the Duke of Sunglow especially when he was Stephen’s father who was probably worse than his son. More arrogant and self-absorb, after all they shared the same blood. I doubt his father was the best man to go to and ask for help.

  “Why not ask for more reinforcements from the Emperor instead?” I calmly suggested hoping he’d change his mind.

  “We already did but the Empire is considering this as a local threat so they will only deploy the local reinforcements which is not enough unless the Emperor sends the Corps,” Andrew paused then his expression became grave walking closer to the foot of the bed and held the railings. I felt Ellie’s hand on my shoulder giving me a tight squeeze.

  “Listen to me, I do not care how you plead with him, beg or bend the knee for all I care, just get Rectner to send reinforcements here,” he threatened with menacing eyes he always had when he wants something badly.

  I glared back at him, I wanted more than anything not to do his bidding and I was tired I was always the one who had to do his work on his behalf but I needed to play my role for as long as I saw it necessary.

  “I understand,” I conceded unwillingly.

  There was satisfaction in Andrew’s face then he turned to Captain Furlong. “And you, clean up the mess outside. We do not need more people thinking they can go against their Duke,” he commanded while pointing a finger at him then he left the infirmary with Mr. Logan and the Captain closely behind.

  I saw Ellie relaxed and she was about to speak but I placed a finger on my lips and gave a quick glance at the door. She understood then went over the doorway and turned her head sideways outside before closing it. We were finally alone in the room.

  “Curtis, we don’t have to go to Sunglow. You’re hurt, I’m sure the Prince would understand,” she spoke softly, sitting on the bed beside me.

  “No, we have to.”

  I told her what the hooded man told me at Caprea, about Thomas and the plans of the Defiers to abduct the Prince. She was as shock as I was when I first heard of it and then she became concern.

  “I don’t like this. I mean abduct the Prince but why?” she asked.

  “They see this as a chance. It’s the only way for the change they want to happen.”

  “But will this work?”

  I wasn’t sure myself. “I don’t know but I do believe this will be a chance the Defiers will finally be heard by the Emperor. They’ll have his full attention once they have the Prince. ”

  Ellie gently rest her head on my shoulder. “You’re probably right,” she spoke with a hint of dread.

  “It’s going to be okay Ellie and you don’t have to do anything. They just need to pretend they’re your servants to get inside the compounds of the Prince’s manor.”

  “Yes but do you still need to pretend to be on Andrew’s side?”

  “Yes, I need him to tell me what he’s planning, like what he did a while ago. At least now we know he plans to bring more reinforcement from Sunglow so I need to warn the Defiers… if ever I succeed.”

  “What are you going to do?” Ellie asked.

  “I have no choice but to go to the Duke of Sunglow and hope he doesn’t help us.”

  “I hate it when Andrew tells you to do things for him and then you’re the one who has to pay for it.”

  I sighed. “It’s not the people’s fault. They don’t know I’m only trying to help them.”

  “I know… and that’s what makes it even more dangerous,” she conceded solemnly.

  I placed my arm around her shoulder and gently held her chin and turned her towards me then smiled and softly kissed her lips.

  As my days passed, the pain was more tolerable. Peter, my errand boy prove to be useful when I was still resting barely able to stand, feeling my body was about to break if ever I tried. Ellie visited me every day and entertained me with her conversations and news of what was happening around Pinewood. She shared to me she sometimes spent her afternoons with Katherine which surprised me but was delighted for both of them as well. It was nice she had someone to talk to besides me. Despite her new companion though, she was still bored being unable to leave the manor after Andrew forbade us to go out since the attack, and the Protectors doubled their patrols outside the manor in case the riots would come to our gates.

  When I was able enough to leave my chambers, I was in my office when I heard a soft knock but before I could answer a maid suddenly entered without waiting to be let in, she was small and had dark blonde hair. I was puzzled what she was doing here. She closed the door behind her, maids usually work down at the kitchen or cleaning somewhere or doing errands for a Lady but not in here.

  She bowed and spoke with a small voice, “Apologies my Lord, I know this isn’t my place but I’ve a message for you…” She paused, swallowed then continued, “… from Olfren.”

  The spy finally revealed herself. “Continue,” I said leaning on my chair.

  “Thomas and six of his men are ready my Lord. They’re waiting on you.”

  “Very well, please tell Olfren I’ll be sending word to Sunglow today telling our household to expect new servants. Thomas and his men can go there tomorrow.”

  “Thank you my Lord,” she spoke then curtsied.

  “What’s your name?” I asked before she was about to leave.

  She was stunned by my asking. She dropped her gaze to the floor, her hands in front of her and responded, “Sarah my Lord.”

  Deltas were not accustomed to being asked by Elites with personal questions. They were the servants, obliged to give their loyalty to the House they serve. These were the footmen, butlers, maids, guards and other positions in direct service to the Elites and their household. The silent workers, inconspicuously doing their daily duties. Never speaking unless spoken to, never looking directly in the eyes except when addressed and never entitled to any opinion.

  “Sarah, how long have you been with us?” I asked kindly.

  “T-two years my Lord,” she stuttered, nervously playing with her fingers.

  “Two years is a long time,” I said then stared curiously at her. “Where do you come from?”

  “First Village… my Lord.”

  “That’s nice.” I paused thinking if what I was about to say was appropriate. “I hope you don’t mind me asking this but how did you join the Defiers?”

  She squeezed between her thumb and index finger. It was apparent I made her uneasy.

  “Olfren… my Lord, came to see me when I went home for a holiday. He said they needed someone from inside the manor,” she replied timidly.

  “And he convinced you?” I asked in disbelief.
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  She nodded slowly. I looked at her in pity, she had no idea the extent of the danger she was putting herself into.

  “May I ask how?”

  Her face suddenly lit up. She smiled shyly and gushed. “I joined because of you my Lord.”

  “What?” I asked astounded.

  She giggled. “Olfren told me you were also a Defier my Lord so it was a good enough reason for me to join.”

  I wasn’t expecting her reply. If she only knew I initially joined for Pinewood and not to overturn the whole Empire. I found her reason silly, reckless of her to endanger her life for a meaningless motive.

  “Thank you, you may go,” I dismissed her. She curtsied and left the office.

  I sighed, what was Olfren up to now?

  CHAPTER 3: SUNGLOW

  ELAINE

  I had been nervous before and should be used to it by now but no matter the countless times I felt like this, the recent was always the worst. I met the Crowned Prince in a ball at Blackard and he seemed not at all what I expected him to be. He was obnoxious same with the rest of the Elites but less intimidating once I knew what he was actually like. He wasn’t pretentious unlike some who were gracious up front then stab you at the back if given the chance. Still, I couldn’t help but feel anxious in the presence of the second most powerful man in the Empire.

  When I ascended to the Elites, I thought nothing could be more mind blowing, I was wrong when I received the Prince’s invitation. A Beta invited to the Prince’s own private manor, I was probably the first, and if people knew about this, they would find it unbelievable.

  No amount of self-motivation prepared me for what was to come. The agitation was overwhelming to the extent I was counting on something to happen at the last minute causing the invitation to be cancelled but nothing ever did.

  Curtis and I were on an air shuttle flying over Sunglow. I was excited coming here despite my nerves going haywire, distracting me for a while. It was the Empire’s wealthiest dukedom and its main source of income was gold, their sigil was a flying golden eagle. Clouds were inexistent in this place making the sun the only dominant entity on the sky. It was surrounded by sands glittering like gold under the scorching heat, rippling like waves in the ocean, remaining perfectly still, except with the occasional desert wind making it alive and moving. Dunes as high as a menacing storm tide towered impressively among the vast of nothingness. No creatures were seen on the hot sands stretching for miles beyond the horizon.