by Allison West
Four short, high-pitched bursts breezed through the forest. The sound grew nearer as a scout blew a whistle. The girl had long auburn hair down her back. Clad in a black bikini, she had strong calves and lean legs. The whistle dropped from her lips and hung around her neck.
"The mainlanders are here, and they've fallen ill. They've brought a disease with them. Every single one of them is sick, as far as I can tell," she said, out of breath.
The whip fell from Sienna's palm, and she walked out of the flat as the audience parted ways. The scout had spared Sawyer's life.
Aria turned around. Sienna and the scout spoke at the edge of the forest. They were too far away and much too quiet to know what words were exchanged.
"What do you think is going on?" Aria asked. The crowd filled with murmurs and whispers. She wasn't the only one confused.
"I'm sure the commander will tell us something soon," James said.
Aria nodded and chewed her bottom lip raw. It looked like their plan to use dart guns and drag the men to the pit was out. They'd need to defend themselves and the tribe from both the mainlanders and infection.
Chapter 4
The scout fell in line with the group, sitting down amongst the Knight Tribe. Sienna entered back into the flat, coming to the center of the clearing. "It is with great regret that I must tell you our plans must change, and fast. The mainlanders have brought three vessels, all infected with a deadly virus. We don't know whether the intent was to destroy our people or if they'd unknowingly boarded while sick. The result is the same. We must protect ourselves, shield our tribe, and drive these men away."
"We don't have time to build a wall around our city," Kali said. "What if we steal their boat and strand them like they've done to so many of us?"
"Nonsense," Sienna said. "Boarding their vessel might infect all of us. The elites will wait it out in the lair. Everyone else will take shelter in the pit. Gather your hammocks and clothes. Leave nothing behind that can be contaminated. If they track us through the forest, we will be forced to burn anything they touch. You have one hour."
With haste, the group stood and took off in multiple directions. Aria suspected the passengers and crew weren't happy to visit the pit. However, if it offered sanctuary, they would hold their tongue.
Aria didn't have time to ask the commander about food. Surely, if she expected them to be hidden beneath the ground, then she had thought this through enough to have an ample supply of food. James and Aria headed for the hut and gathered the few clothes they had on loan. Would Sienna be forced to burn the shelter when they returned? There'd be no way to know without a doubt that it would remain untouched. How long could the virus live without a host, before dying?
There wasn't much for James and Aria to take with them into hiding. "Do you know where the lair is?" Aria asked, heading outside.
He grabbed her hand, pulling her back. "Wait," he said. The air remained still, the evening quiet. Not a single bird chirped. It felt odd. "Do you think it's smart for us to go with the elite?"
"You want to take shelter in the pit?" Aria asked.
"I want the best option. I've seen the pit. There's no way in or out when it's locked. If we have the key, it would ensure no one could trespass and infect us. Besides, Aria, I trust our people. Can you say the same about Sienna?"
"What you're saying could be seen as an act of war against the elite," Aria said. "You do realize the foundation between our people is already unstable. After the challenge Sawyer made to Sienna—"
"Don't tell me you're siding with them?" James stepped forward into her personal space.
"Sienna has offered us food and shelter. I can't pretend she hasn't helped us." Her reasons for choosing Aria to become part of the elite may have been unusual, but they'd begun to accept them as part of their tribe. "You hear the way she speaks of the mainlanders, calling them invaders. That's what we are, James. We're invaders to Amity Island. I don't know whether to trust her or not!"
James huffed under his breath. "We didn't come here to hurt anyone or interfere in their culture. We've done everything we can to accept their way of life."
"You mean when Sawyer challenged the commander?" Aria shook her head. She knew James tried to think rationally, and he was right in many ways, but Sienna hadn't harmed either of them. James walked outside, and she followed after him. "You're heading to the pit?" There was no reasoning with the man, no matter how hard she tried.
"You're coming with me," he said and threw Aria over his shoulder. Her hands pounded against his back and her legs kicked until he swatted her rear. "Enough! You'll alert the mainlanders and kill us all if you can't be quiet."
Aria silenced her pleas and gave up fighting with James. She'd rather be in the lair, but not if it meant she'd be without him. "What if there's no food? We've been in the pit; it's a giant underground prison."
"Prison and training facility," he said. His feet crunched on grass and broken branches. "Promise you won't run?"
"Yes." He put her down, the warm earth at her toes. Aria sunk into the ground slightly. James worked the iron lock on the door free. It had been left open. "Go." He nudged her forward, and with a resigned sigh, she stepped down into the darkened pit. The light faded fast from outside, making the pit much darker than the last time she'd visited.
Without a torch, the cells were black as night. In the distance, a faint glow emitted through the center of the pit and around the corner. She hadn't spent any decent amount of time down here to know what lurked in the shadows. Hanging out in a hole in the ground, dying of starvation, seemed like infection might not be such a bad way to go.
"Follow the light," James said.
Did the tunnel lead to food or sleeping quarters? Aria slowly walked through the darkness, not wanting to bump into a wall or metal cage. Together, they entered the pit, and she caught sight of where the light came from. A small fire burned at the opposite end of the room. It felt miles away in the darkness. James took her hand and led her farther into their own cave.
"Didn't expect you two to join us," Sawyer said. His nostrils flared, and he stepped toward Aria, glancing her up and down. "Not sure you're welcome here, either."
James walked up to Sawyer, invading his personal space. His eyes narrowed and the flames of amber illuminated their skin. A red glow surrounded them, as though they were ready to pounce on one another like wild beasts. "None of this was our idea," James said. "Remember, we paid for protection."
* * *
With her bag slung over her shoulder, James and Aria approached the dock. "How much for two to sail west?" James asked.
The guard looked James over from head to toe. James had changed into one of the outfits Aria had bought him, khakis and a solid white shirt. He was dressed down considerably, but the guard seemed to recognize him.
"An emerald and a prince." The guard pursed his lips. His nametag read Sawyer. "The girl can travel for twelve hundred. If you want safe passage across the sea, Prince James, it's five thousand."
Aria stepped closer to James. She should have worn those stupid blue contact lenses. "You're joking?"
The sign beside them read that one passenger was four hundred. "It says four hundred. You're charging me three times that and James more than seven times the asking price!"
The guard grinned, his sapphire eyes sparkling. "A girl who knows her numbers." He swiftly erased the smile, his expression hard, unmalleable. "If you want on that ship for four hundred, you'll end up overboard before midnight. The money pays for protection detail, guards who will watch your room, when you sleep, and keep you alive until we reach land."
"We don't have that much money," Aria said.
James unlatched his watch and slid it over his hand. "Will you take collateral? My watch is worth four times what you're asking from us."
Aria's eyes widened. Was it really worth twenty-five thousand? She always knew the princes had money and wealth, but she had never seen anything so extravagant that was so small.
&n
bsp; The guard examined the exquisite detail of the watch and nodded. "Go on through. You'll be on the eighth deck, in room 8232."
"Thank you," Aria said and gripped James' hand as they boarded the ship together.
Her eyes glided over the luxury cruise liner. It had some age, the paint dull, the exterior worn.
Stepping across the platform and onto the deck, Aria glanced back over her shoulder at Brayleigh. She wouldn't miss anyone.
* * *
"With a watch that is worthless here," Sawyer said, slipping the watch off his wrist. He tossed it into the fire.
The flames roared to life, and James stepped one foot forward, preparing to launch himself at the guard. He was nothing but a coward now, fearing for his life.
Aria grabbed James' arm, holding him back emotionally. She knew if he wanted to slip from her grasp and attack Sawyer, he could. With all her physical strength, she could never stop him.
"Are we expecting anyone else?" Aria asked. Her eyes glanced over the familiar faces, all from their time on the sea.
"You tell me, Emerald," Sawyer said, his nostrils twitched. He probably tried to restrain himself because of his recent injuries. It would do him no good to get into a fight with James right now—or with Aria. Sawyer would no doubt lose. Verbally, though, the man seemed as though he had nothing to fear.
"We left the gate unlocked," Aria said. "You want me to lock it? Or should we continue to shoot insults at one another and wait for the enemy to strike us?"
"Go lock the gate." Sawyer turned away, escaping farther into the darkness. His back covered in fresh scars, Aria heard him whimper as he walked. His facade of toughness wouldn't save him.
"Stay here," James said. "I'll lock the gate."
Aria wasn't sure leaving her alone was the best option. Right now, they probably all hated her for being an emerald. Not even traveling across the Pacific could change what she was. It made her unique and painted her as a target.
James disappeared into the darkness behind her.
Aria shuffled anxiously on her feet. The pit was quiet. She stared at the small fire burning on the ground. Stones surrounded the flames, keeping the heat contained. She tilted her head up toward the ceiling, noticing a thicket of leaves and small holes to allow oxygen to seep in and smoke to seep out. Did they have to worry that their fire would be found? Could the mainlanders pry their way through the earth into the pit?
The room remained quiet. The embers of the fire floated around her, and the sizzle of wood popping was the only sound, except for her own breathing, that she heard. After several moments, she realized she didn't hear James, either.
"James?" Her stomach tensed. Shouldn't he be back already? There were a few stairs and it was dark, but she didn't hear him answer her. She didn't bother to tell the others where she headed. It wasn't as though they cared.
Aria stumbled in the dark, carefully making her way back through the pit and toward the stairs. The gate had been left wide open and though it grew closer to night, Aria could see the tree line but no sign of James.
Gripping the handrail, she took two steps at a time, poking her head outside.
Smoke lingered in the air. The tribe didn't have a fire in the pit. This was something else much more sinister.
"James?" Aria was tentative to call for him too loud. Danger lurked, and the last thing she wanted was to reveal where they were hidden.
Through the layers of smoke, James and three others tore through the forest on a full-speed chase toward her.
"Hurry!" James' voice carried and she stepped back inside and down the stairs. He leapt inside, swinging the door shut behind the three elite. His fingers found the lock, snapping it closed.
Wordlessly, they rushed down the darkened stairwell and through the hall toward the pit. Rounding the corner, from above, they heard screams and war cries. The noise didn't diminish. The sound of gunfire filled the night sky above them. Shots echoed through the forest.
Aria grabbed James' hand as they trailed deeper into the cave and sat beside the fire. No one was anxious to stoke it brighter and chance the glow reaching the entrance.
Metal rattled, and Aria scooted closer to James. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder, pulling her to him. Not a word was spoken. She held her breath. Could they break through the lock or the wrought iron bars? This place was a prison. No one should be able to get in or out without the key.
"How much food do we have?" Aria whispered.
James shook his head. He didn't know.
Half tempted to search the pit, but the desire to leave his side wasn't far from her mind. "In the morning, we'll search every inch of this place," Aria said.
The noise outside settled. Were the mainlanders setting up camp above them? They were probably waiting for them to leave. They couldn't give them the satisfaction of an attack.
"If we survive until morning," Kali said. She was one of the three who had followed behind James and down the staircase into the pit. Seeing another elite among them, surprised Aria. For three of them to join the pit, Aria knew something was wrong.
"What happened out there?" Aria asked. James was supposed to lock the gate, not go outside into the forest.
"The mainlanders attacked the lair," Kali said. "Everyone's dead. The three of us were late getting to the entrance. We watched in horror as they lit a giant fire and suffocated them down below. I couldn't stop them. None of us could."
Aria swallowed nervously. Would they do the same to them?
"We're safe down here, for now," another elite said. Aria didn't recognize her. She had jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. "The mainlanders are sick; Sienna is right. If we can wait them out, they'll be dead on the surface when we emerge."
"Or we could help them?" Aria said.
"Absolutely not!" Sawyer shook his head. "They stole our boat!"
"You don't know that," Aria said. Just because they came from the sea, didn't make them pirates.
"Did you hear the guns, Emerald?" Sawyer leaned forward, his hands bunched into fists as he rested his weight on his hands, facing her. "That wasn't a friendly chit-chat they're looking for."
"It's Aria."
Swirls of smoke spiraled down the staircase and through the pit, drawing closer toward them.
"Quick!" Kali grabbed Aria by the arm, dragging her farther into the cave. "Give me a hand." She bent down onto her knees, brushing dirt in the shadows.
Aria's eyes adjusted to the darkness and realized it was a hatch to something deeper underground than they already were. She leaned down, offering Kali support, and between the two of them, they pulled back the door.
"I need fire! Someone get me a torch." Kali was all about making demands.
Sawyer handed Kali a flaming torch. "Knock yourself out," he said.
Did he plan on locking Kali and Aria down there? She knew James would never let him get away with it, but there were a lot more from the ship than just the few of them who were elites.
James seemed reluctant but eventually nodded for Aria to go ahead. He didn't move. Aria felt as safe as she could, given the circumstances.
Kali climbed down the ladder first. It creaked and groaned under her weight. "Just as we left it."
"You've been down here?" Aria asked. When had Kali come into the pit and gone two levels beneath the surface?
Aria felt nervous on the ladder, uncertain it would hold her weight. The moment Kali stepped down onto the ground, Aria made her descent, gripping the rope as if her life depended on it.
A stash of canned food and even some dried meat sat nestled against the wall. Old jugs were filled with water leaning against the floor. The room didn't smell pleasant, but it very well may save their lives.
One at a time, everyone descended into the hidden room. James climbed last, stepping off the ladder. He closed the door.
There was nowhere to move and barely enough room to stand, with everyone crammed inside.
"Won't we bury ourselves alive in here?" Sawyer asked.
<
br /> "Not if you can follow directions. There's a tunnel that leads into a larger room underground," Kali said.
An escape route? Had Kali been a prisoner of the Knight Tribe once? Is that how she knew so much of the pit and the secret room and tunnel?
"Quick!" Kali shouted, pushing everyone one at a time through the small entrance. It required each of them to get down onto their hands and knees to crawl through the confined chamber. Aria didn't dare ask how they'd have light when they got there. She knew it wouldn't be possible for Kali to hold the torch and climb through the tunnel. Darkness awaited them and forced Aria's stomach to bubble with uncertainty.
A half-dozen of the men maneuvered through the tight space, one at a time. Aria held her breath, got down on all fours like a child and crawled uphill. Thankfully, the tunnel, though narrow, didn't force her to duck her head. The only light was from behind as Aria traveled into the darkened tunnel.
"Keep going," James said. His voice sounded distant. Her hands and legs were covered in filth. The tunnel was thick caked dirt. Hopefully, it would hold.
Breaching the end of the tunnel, her head escaped first. The room was clean, the air much better in here than the other confined den underground. How was that possible? Once out of the tunnel, they stood and stretched. Aria's fingertips grazed the ceiling. It was far lower than the pit and even the hole they had just climbed down. Where were they now?
"Your turn, James," Aria said, calling back to him as she waited for him to join her. There was grunting and cursing under his breath. The tunnel might have fit Aria, but James sounded as though he struggled. He was taller and more muscular than she was, which meant he needed more space. Well, there wasn't any extra room. "You're almost there!" Aria tried to encourage him to keep going. She could see his outline from the torch on the opposite end of the tunnel. Everything else was blackness.
He crawled out of the tunnel. "That was easy." There was sarcasm in his tone, but she chose to ignore it. No one was happy to be down here, or up here, as the case may be.
