by AR Colbert
CHAPTER 13
I turned victoriously to Felix as Everett walked away, but he didn’t share in my joy. A slight sheen of sweat glimmered from his downturned brow, his cheeks flushed, breathing heavy. “I’ll go,” he said to no one in particular, as his father was already halfway across the room. “But Rider will stay.”
I looked over to Rider, whose dark eyes were equally stormy. He gave a nod and crossed his arms. “How would you feel about getting your own personal bodyguard?” he asked, though it wasn’t really a question.
“Is that allowed?” My skin was still crawling where Everett had touched me. Having Rider around would definitely make me feel a little safer in this house, but I hated the idea of having a babysitter again. I could handle things on my own.
“Of course it’s allowed. You’re a Leader. You make the rules.” Felix’s voice was firm, but his eyes were still full of hurt. I found myself wanting to pull him in for a hug and tell him everything was going to be alright. But I settled instead on agreeing to have Rider as my bodyguard.
“Good. Now that that’s settled, let’s call it a night.” I followed Felix’s eyes across the room and noticed it was significantly emptier than it had been right after the dinner. One by one our guests were returning home.
“I’ll find Joy. She’s my attendant here, and she’ll be able to get you set up in a couple of rooms.” I reached out to squeeze Felix’s shoulder reassuringly, but he bristled under my touch. With a frown, I turned to find some help.
The attendants’ hall was around the corner from the foyer, just past Everett’s office. A soft giggle danced its way out of the dimly lit room as I neared it, and I tiptoed as quietly as I could past the opening. Inside I saw Everett leading the woman I met earlier in the low cut black dress toward the secret door.
His hand rested casually around the curve of her backside as he gently nudged her into a dark staircase behind the door. I paused to gather what details I could make out about the mysterious room beyond, but Everett turned to close the door behind him, meeting my stare just before it clicked shut. With a dark grin and wink, he disappeared behind it, locking it before the sound of his footfalls vanished down the stairs.
I shuddered and scampered off to continue my search for Joy.
Felix and Rider were standing right where I’d left them when I returned to the foyer. “Joy is making up your beds now. Do you want to come up to my room until she’s ready? I can’t wait to kick off these shoes.”
Felix sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. Rider picked up on his cues instantly, and started backing away. “You guys go ahead. I’m going to do a quick sweep of the first floor. I’ll meet you up there in a bit.”
“Okay,” I said with a nod. I reached for Felix’s hand to show him the way upstairs, but he pulled it from my grasp. “Felix, I—”
“Save it,” he said quietly as he fell into step behind me.
Once upstairs, he stood just inside my door, hands in his pockets, pain evident across his handsome features. Even with the dark circles kissing his lower eyelids, Felix was strikingly good-looking.
“I’m glad you came tonight.”
“I would have come sooner if you’d told me where you were going.”
“I didn’t know I was coming here. Honestly, I didn’t.”
Felix began pacing in front of my closed door. “You had to have had some idea. People don’t just wander into the Outside and end up living with my father in the District capital by mistake.”
“I tried to go Outside. They didn’t want me.”
He paused and snapped his eyes back to me. “What do you mean they didn’t want you?”
“Outside. My dad. The Embers. They said they didn’t need me there. They wanted me to keep working within the Leadership.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Felix took a step in my direction. “I would have taken you back in an instant. I would have loved nothing more than to have you working with me again. Why this? Why my father?” His hands dropped lifelessly down to his sides with a soft smack.
“Because I need to find my own way, Felix. Emmaline offered me a position. She didn’t give many details, but it was a promotion. If working from the inside is the best way I can help the Embers, then I need to climb as high inside as I can. I didn’t know I’d be living with your father. How did you find me here, anyway? Did Emmaline tell you where I was?”
Felix shook his head. “Your tracker.”
I whipped my arm behind me and began feeling up and down my back. “The tracker you put on me before the Exiled attack? How can that be? It was just a sticker.”
“It’s a high powered water-proof adhesive. It won't come off until you’re ready to remove it. And even then it takes a special solvent to remove.”
“So you’ve been watching me this whole time?!”
“No! I resisted for a long time. But I hadn’t heard anything after you left. I had no idea if you’d made it safely or gotten hurt along the way. I looked the day after you left and you were still in Classen City. I held off for a long time, but after several days of no word I checked again. And you were here of all places! I didn’t know if he’d kidnapped you, or—” His voice trailed off and he rubbed his thumb and forefinger across his brows. “I just wanted to make sure you were safe. I’m sorry.”
“Well you should be. You had no right to spy on me. I’m a big girl and I can handle myself. And you of all people should know your dad wouldn’t kidnap me. Is it so absurd to think that I made the decision to come here by myself?” Felix looked less than certain. He didn’t trust his father, and he probably didn’t trust my decision-making too much either. Even so, he was full of remorse—as he should have been for tracking me, but I was too angry at him to care. He was no better than the rest of the Leaders with tactics like that.
“Well don’t just stand there, get it off of me!” I unclasped the dress at the base of my neck and began tugging the zipper as best as I could.
He paused, watching me fumble blindly with the closure. “Let me help you.” Felix pulled the zipper past my shoulder blades, exposing my spine where the tracker still sat attached to my skin. He ran a thumb over the edges of it, sending chill bumps across my skin. He held his breath, causing the beating of our hearts to sound that much louder, echoing in my ears.
He pulled a small foil packet from his pocket, ripped the top open, and unfolded a pre-moistened cloth which he rubbed gently across my skin. Felix didn’t want to enjoy this as much as he was, and neither did I. But despite my running off... despite his tracking me... despite his horrible father and the distrust that bubbled between them—between us because of this situation... Despite it all, there was no denying how much Felix still cared for me.
And despite knowing better than to lean into it, I couldn’t help myself. Felix was sweet and tender. I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea, but it felt good to be cared for by him. My anger had melted away by the time he finished removing the adhesive. He crumpled the tracking sticker in his hand, stuffed it into the foil packet, and shoved it into the bathroom wastebasket. I was zipped back up and perched on the edge of my bed when he returned.
“I’m sorry, too. I should have told you when I found out I was coming here.”
Felix joined me on the bed, resting his hand on my knee. “You know you can tell me anything. And I hope you will. Even if it paints a negative light on me or my family, I will do anything to protect you.” He meant it, and I believed him to my core. I leaned my head on his shoulder, reveling in the tenderness of the moment before launching into the plan I’d been silently brewing throughout the evening.
“Thank you. I’m safe here, especially now that you’ve sent Rider to watch over me.” I quirked an eyebrow and he flashed a gorgeous white smile.
“I’ll send a whole army if I have to.”
I sat up tall, pulling one knee on the bed as I turned to face him. “Speaking of armies, have you heard anything about Justice Hines’ plan to eliminate the Outsider
s back home?”
“Not a word,” he replied. “She’s been wrapped up with some consultant for the last week. I don’t think she’s had any time to worry about the Outsiders at all.”
“What do you know about the consultant?”
“Not much. His name is Conrad Reynolds, and he’s from the Supreme Leadership. That’s about the extent of my knowledge.”
“Hmm...” I deliberated over my next words. “Well since you said I could tell you anything, I’m going to throw out a crazy idea. A suspicion. It’s probably unfounded, but I think you might be able to help me clarify something.”
“Of course. What is it?”
“Well before I left, I saw a couple of men on motorcycles near the Ember camps Outside. I’m pretty sure one of them had the mark of the Supreme Leadership. And we suspect they might have been scoping out the camps for some reason.”
“What would the Supreme Leadership want with the Embers?”
“Probably nothing, unless Justice Hines has been feeding them false stories about how dangerous they are. All I know is that I saw his neck—and those tattoos are not easily forgotten. But he was too far for me to make out any details. I think it must have been Conrad, but I’m not sure. Is there any chance you might be able to keep an eye on things for me back home?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you. If you see anything fishy, or if you notice him going Outside, please let me know. I don’t have a good feeling about him.”
There was a gentle knock at the door, followed by a timid voice. “Ms. Greenwood?”
“Come in, Joy.”
My attendant cracked the door just enough to peek her head through. “The rooms are ready. Would you like me to show your guests there now?”
“Yes, thank you.” I squeezed Felix’s hand before standing and was relieved to see him respond with a smile. In a lot of ways, Felix was like a giant teddy bear— broad but gentle, kind hearted and protective, and he always had a way of cheering me up when things looked bleak.
Joy pulled the door the rest of the way open and I saw Rider standing behind her, looking much more relaxed than he had downstairs. I gave him a smile as well. It would be nice to have another familiar face around here.
I followed them into the hall and watched as Joy directed Felix into the same room Raf had stayed in just a few days earlier. My stomach flipped with a weird sensation that I couldn’t name. It wasn’t a feeling of guilt, exactly, but it felt wrong to enjoy Felix’s company as much as I did. We were only friends, of course. But there was something twisting inside, nonetheless. And whatever it was, it shot up with a flutter as he kissed my forehead goodnight.
Deep down, a part of me wished Felix could stay here permanently, too.
CHAPTER 14
Felix was already gone when I awoke the next morning. Everett did a good job of arranging his exit at the earliest possible moment. He couldn’t have gotten more than a couple hours of sleep before leaving for his flight at dawn, and yet he still took the time to write me a note and slip it under my door.
Sorry I was a jerk. I have your back one hundred percent. Always. Please call me for anything. I will be in touch soon. Take care. -F
I held the note against my chest, inhaling deeply before sliding it safely in the drawer of my bedside table. Cracking open my bedroom door, I was surprised to see Rider standing in the hallway talking to Joy. I’d almost forgotten he was staying behind.
“Good morning.”
They both startled, turning toward me with wide eyes. “Good morning!” Joy chirped back. “They’re cooking omelets downstairs. I was just coming to see if you two were ready for breakfast.”
I glanced at Rider who gave a solemn nod. Joy picked up on the exchange and added, “No one else will be joining you this morning. Director Walsh will likely be out until Monday.”
“Oh? Where has he gone?”
Joy pinched her lips together with disapproval before answering. “I try not to keep up with the details of his actions. But he’s often indisposed on the weekends.”
After a quick breakfast with Rider, I decided to take a look around the property outside. The sun was shining, its rays warming my cheeks as I strolled around the large patio behind the house. I could spot my balcony up above, but trees blocked my view of the estate from that high. Down here I could see a path of stone pavers that led down to a small duck pond in the back of the yard.
Perfectly-kept flower beds amid the landscaping were just beginning to green up as Spring promised to make her arrival. After the fall and winter I’d had, I was ready for some sunshine again. Spring had always been my favorite season. It brought a new sense of purpose each year. New life. New hopes and dreams. It brought healing after the tragedy of my mother’s death, and the absence of my father. And this year I hoped it would bring about the change Cato had sacrificed his life for. Too many lives had been taken. It was time for something new to begin.
Voices from the side of the yard drew me near the old carriage house where Everett’s cars were parked. Asher stood polishing the driver’s side mirror of one, laughing with another driver as I approached.
“Good morning, boys.”
“Good morning, Ms. Greenwood.” Asher grinned back at me, though his friend didn’t look so happy to have company. Asher turned to him and jerked his chin in my direction. “This is Claren Greenwood, the Leader Joy has been assigned to attend to.” Understanding flashed in his friend’s eyes, and his shoulders relaxed.
“Hello. My name is Jeremy Hays.” I shook his extended hand, taking note of his firm grip and calloused skin. He didn’t strike me as the kind of man who had been an attendant for long. I imagined this man had spent many hours doing manual labor, sweating hard in the summer heat.
“Pleasure to meet you, Jeremy.”
He dipped his head, a bashful smile playing at the corner of his lips.
“You’ll have to excuse my friend, here, Ms. Greenwood. This is Jeremy’s first day on the job.”
He looked too old to be getting his first placement. Aptitude tests wouldn’t be held for another couple of weeks, anyway. “Oh? Where did you work before?” I asked.
“Here and there,” he replied, uncertainty creasing his brows. “I was a city Worker for a long time, mowing grass and keeping the streets clean. But when my wife—” he paused to swallow down his emotion. “Once my wife was gone, I was moved to handle the yard work here in the Center. I came to this property last June to work on the gardens for Director Yoder, but when Director Walsh took over a few weeks ago I wasn’t needed anymore.”
“Director Walsh isn’t fond of flowers,” Asher explained for his friend. “But he likes cars. So we were able to keep ol’ Jeremy here as a backup driver for Director Walsh’s guests.” The men shared a look that told me there was a lot more that they weren’t saying. Joy had mentioned the guests as well. I’d have to ask her to fill me in a little more later.
“I see. So what’s on the agenda for today?”
“Well Jeremy was taught to drive mowers and lawn equipment, but cars are a little different. He’s gotten basic instructions, but we were going to do some hands on practice today. Director Walsh probably won’t be needing us for anything this weekend.” They shared the same conspiratorial look as before.
“Can I come? I haven’t gotten to see much of the city.”
“Sure, I guess.” Asher glanced up toward the house. “Do you need to tell Joy or get that new bodyguard of yours first?”
“No, I don’t think so. We’re just driving around, right?”
He shifted nervously. “Yeah, that’s right. I just don’t—”
“Relax, Asher. It’ll be fine. I promise to behave.”
His eyes crinkled in the corners, and with a quick nod we were on our way. I sat in the back while Asher guided Jeremy from the front. Jeremy was a natural. He didn’t require much help at all, and after a few turns around the blocks of the Center, we made our way out of the tall walls into the boroughs of Lou
isburg.
There was an immediate shift in the energy once we crossed over onto the main city streets. The men seemed to tense up front, and my belly danced nervously as I kept my eyes glued to the window. I watched, expectantly. For what? I didn’t know, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was coming.
We passed citizens on the sidewalks, each one turning to assess the vehicle as it neared them. They would scan the windows, land on my face, and greet me with a sneer or a frown or a scowl. Every single time.
“Everyone seems so unhappy here.” I looked up to meet Asher’s sad gaze in the front seat.
“It wasn’t always this way,” he said. “But everything changed when Walsh joined the Leadership a few months ago. And now that he’s the Director...” He trailed off, leaving me to imagine all sorts of scary conclusions to his sentence.
“I know it’s hard to trust the Leadership,” I said, trying to soothe the tightness in the air. “Especially once you get an inside look. But the people have kind of brought this upon themselves, haven’t they? I mean, they chose to stop working.” My stomach twisted tight as I gauged the men’s reactions to my words. Jeremy became cold, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. But Asher was trying to be patient with me. He released a frustrated sigh and instructed Jeremy to take the next right.
“That’s the problem, Claren. The people didn’t actually choose anything. They don’t decide what work they get to do. They don’t choose who to marry, or where to live. They have been stripped of everything. And this is the only way they could think to stand up for themselves.”
“I get it,” I said. “The system isn’t perfect. But they try. The jobs are given based on aptitudes. It’s the kind of work we are all best suited for. It may not be exactly what you would choose, but it’s usually close. And you get food and housing and all of your needs met in return—just by showing up and doing the work. To rebel against it puts everyone in a worse situation. The people can’t expect to receive the benefits without any work. That wouldn’t be fair.”
