by AR Colbert
“And today, on a rare outing from the Center, the people of Louisburg were finally able to give her the proper greeting she deserved.” The woman’s eyes twinkled, and I couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or if she truly believed the twisted footage that played before us.
Silent video of the crowds yelling and pumping their fists were made to look like cheers. A split-second shot of the people moving toward our car was cut to look like they were trying desperately to greet me. There were several angles of footage—cameras that I never saw when I was out in the streets. The thought was unsettling. Where else were cameras hiding out of plain sight?
I watched my face smile at the crowds again. Another shot showed me inside the boutique, grinning at Agnes. Then I was shown waving. The editing of the video was a total lie. But why? Why were they spinning the attacks from this afternoon into a story of welcoming for me?
I stood, a shiver crawling its way down my spine. “I can’t believe this.”
Rider shook his head, unsurprised. “They’re planning something.”
“What?” I asked.
“I don’t know. But they don’t want the District to know what’s really happening here in Louisburg.”
None of it made any sense. “What do you think, Raf?” I reached to touch his shoulder, but he shrugged me off.
“I don’t know either,” he mumbled. “The whole world is full of lies and false pretenses.”
I swallowed. He was upset, but I didn’t have time to deal with a pouty Raf. A pouty Raf who was technically married to another woman...
I needed to find Everett.
His voice rang out from inside his office as I made my way down the hall back inside the main house just minutes later.
“Claren? Is that you?”
“It’s me,” I said, turning the corner into the dimly lit room. The only light was coming from a small table lamp on his desk and the blue glow of the television resting inside one of his bookshelves.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said. “It seems you’ve had quite the eventful day.”
The lump in my throat grew too big for me to swallow down again. My voice was raspy as I responded. “Yes, I have.”
He tsked. “I’d really expect your personal security to do a better job. I heard it got pretty cantankerous out there today.”
Shoot. He already knew the truth.
“We managed.” I looked to the television, where the newscaster was now droning on about a new bridge being constructed on the south side of town.
“Did you see the news?” He smirked.
I nodded, unable to voice a response.
“You’re welcome.” He sneered and began shuffling through some papers on his desk.
“That was your doing? Why?”
He looked up again with a hard set jaw. “Because, I can’t have you looking like a fool. We need to show the world that we have Louisburg under control. It’s more important now than ever!” His voice grew louder as he spoke, his real emotion threatening to burst forth at any moment. And I realized that he was just as afraid as I was. Here I was worrying about what he might think, but he had the Supreme Leadership to impress.
“Here,” he said, extending his arm. He held an opened envelope addressed to me. I took the card from him and pulled out an invitation.
He watched me closely as I skimmed the words printed on the elaborate card. “It’s an invitation to a party in Classen City.”
“I know,” he said. Of course he knew. He’d already opened and read it. “The party is next Friday. Same day as ours.” He kept his watchful eyes glued to me, waiting to see how I would react.
The phone rang. Once. Twice. “Do you want me to get that?” I asked.
“One of the attendants will grab it,” he said with a wave of his hand. “So what would you like to do? Cancel our gathering, or skip the event in Classen City?”
I chewed the inside of my lip. This felt like a test. Was he trying to determine where my loyalties were? I wanted to go back to Classen City, of course. But I also needed the perfect opportunity to get information from Everett.
“Were you invited to the party in Classen as well?”
The corners of his mouth lifted into a mischievous grin. “I was.”
“And have you already invited your guests here next week?”
“Not yet.”
That settled it. “Then I think we should go to the party in Classen City together. It will be good for appearances.”
His grin split into a full smile. “Will you wear the red dress you purchased this afternoon?”
A sick feeling twisted below my sternum. But this is what had to be done. Forcing a smile, I nodded. “I will.”
“Then we’ll go to Classen City... together.” His gaze shifted to a point behind me, so I turned to find a timid young man standing in the doorway. It was an attendant I recognized from our training sessions with Raf and Rider. “Is there something I can help you with, Bartholomew?”
“I was sent for Ms. Greenwood, sir.”
Everett waved me away with his hand. “Go. We’re finished here.” He immediately turned his attention back to the stack of papers on his desk.
Out in the hall, Bartholomew picked up his pace once I joined him, leading me quickly toward the staircase. “I’m not supposed to ask questions,” he whispered nervously. “But there is someone who wants to communicate with you. Now. In your room. And that’s all I know.”
“Thank you.” His voice shook with urgency and fear. He didn’t know what was going on—that much was clear, but he knew something wasn’t right.
I bounded up the stairs and swung open my bedroom door to find it empty, just as I’d expected. After locking it behind me, I pulled the communicator out of my top drawer where it lay hidden and held my finger over the button on the back. Felix’s worried eyes stared back at me.
“You’re okay.” He exhaled and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. Dark circles were set even deeper below his lids than the last time we’d spoken. He looked like he’d aged a few years, though it had only been days.
“Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I saw the news.”
My eyes widened. “Did they show the real story there?”
“No.” He laughed, humorlessly. “They never do. But that’s just it. It looked too staged. Too perfect. And knowing the people in Louisburg, I expected the worst.” He narrowed his eyes and leaned in toward his communicator. “Your lip?”
“It’s fine.” I touched the small cut. Joy got me cleaned up really well when we got home, and it was barely noticeable. I was surprised Felix saw anything wrong at all.
He didn’t look convinced but didn’t press further, either. “Well, I have some good news.”
“Good. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard any. Whatcha got?”
“It turns out Emilio had an entire storeroom full of broken stun guns and their various parts. He’s been working to repair them since we last talked.”
“Has he been successful?”
“Better than successful.” Felix finally allowed himself to smile. Not the same, full smile that dropped women’s jaws with his good looks, but a genuine one, nonetheless. “He has about twenty finished weapons. They’re like stun guns, only modified. Emilio set out to discover the technology that took out the Embers last week, and he’s determined that it was some sort of heavy duty CED. So it’s like a bunch of stun guns bundled together in a long strip, facing every direction, with their amps cranked way up to lethal levels. It was dropped in from above, and with that level of electricity going out in every direction, they weren’t able to survive. He’s taken the same idea and put it into a small stun gun.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. We don’t know these men well enough to equip them with something so lethal.”
“He thought of that too. There’s a dial hidden beneath a removable piece of the handle. The guns will be set to stun, but they can easily be cran
ked up if needed. Of course, the Outsiders won’t know that unless you show them.”
I nodded. Twenty weapons wasn’t many, but hopefully it would be enough to convince Seth that my intentions were true. “Thank you, Felix. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
His cheeks grew slightly pink, but his smile faded. “You’re welcome. Did you get my party invitation?” He looked completely defeated again now.
“I did. Was that arranged for us to get the weapons? Do you think I’ll be able to get them without your father finding out?”
“I’ll talk to Charles down at the airport. We’ll find a way to get everything back there safely. And no. There’s another reason for the party, but I’m working on getting that corrected, too.”
“Well whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll be able to fix it.” I flashed an encouraging smile. It was hard to see my friend so beaten down. I didn’t know what was going on back there in Classen, but it was definitely taking its toll on him.
“I hope so.” His blue eyes looked like endless pools of sorrow. Don’t let them get you down, Felix. “But I’ve got to get back to it now. I’ll see you on Friday?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
He nodded. “Just remember, no matter what you see, some things are out of my control.”
It was a rather cryptic way to end our call, but at least I was going to get to see Felix again soon. And better yet, we might have found a way to get the Outsiders in Louisburg to unite with the Embers.
Things were beginning to look up.
CHAPTER 24
Everett was already tipping back drinks before our plane landed outside of Classen City. He seemed nervous about the event, though I hadn’t figured out why that was. Rider sat beside me on the plane and in the car, clenching his jaw tighter with every drink Everett took. He was on edge as well.
Upon arriving in the city, Everett took my hand and led me into the multipurpose building where I’d been trained as a Peacemaker what seemed like a lifetime ago. Flashbacks of Georgia running her mouth and me secretly exchanging notes with Raf to save Cato flooded my mind.
Oh, Cato. I wouldn’t let my brother down. His death had to mean something when all of this was over.
The inside of the building had been transformed once again into a dazzling display of grandeur. Lights, food, talented musicians, and fountains flowing with chocolate surrounded by fruits and desserts common citizens would never ordinarily be able to afford were meant to impress. But my days of being impressed were long over. Now all I saw was a disgusting display of wealth being flaunted in the faces of those who would never know what it meant to be fully satisfied.
Returning to this place—to my home in Classen City, reignited something primal in me. The urge to fight, no matter what it might cost, stirred up in my belly. And I knew this was all worth it. The fake smiles and the parties were just stepping stones to the bigger change that would happen. I would see to it.
Everett’s fingers squeezed gently around my hand. “Would you like me to grab you a drink?” His eyes wandered over to the bar just outside of the main ballroom.
“No, thank you. But you go ahead. I’ll meet you inside.”
He paused, debating whether or not to let me go on without him, but ultimately his need for another drink won over. He nodded. “I’ll see you inside.” He tapped my rear and turned toward the bar.
Rider shook his head. “I swear, I’ve had about enough of his wandering hands.”
Me too, Rider. Me too.
My eyes raked over the large room we entered next, searching for the other head of golden hair and crystal blue eyes I knew so well. Where was Felix?
There were more people packed into the ballroom than I’d ever seen gathered in the place before. Even more than when Felix was named Senator. Whatever the occasion, it must have been big.
I wriggled my way through the crowd, scratching the sides of my arms on sequined dresses and stepping around sharply dressed men as I pushed through toward the stage. Still no sign of Felix. I did see Emmaline over in the corner, though, chatting with Cynthia George.
Cynthia’s navy blue dress practically glowed, silver sparkles reflecting off in every direction. It made the swirls of her tattoo almost beautiful, in a terrifying kind of way. She and Emmaline seemed to be getting along well, deep in conversation. Yet, I swore I saw Emmaline’s gaze flash over to me, just for the briefest of seconds, before she turned back to the woman.
If Cynthia was here, did that mean Conrad had returned as well? Heat rose into my cheeks at the thought, and I spun to look for him. I didn’t care if he was the Supreme Leader himself—he wasn’t going to get away with murdering any more of my people.
Emilio caught my arm as I turned around, grinning from ear to ear. “Emilio!” I threw my arms around him.
“Long time no see.” He giggled. I’d missed that silly little high-pitched noise he made when he was nervous. “And Rider, my man.” They exchanged some kind of guy handshake-back-slap. Then Emilio turned back to me. “I hear you’ve been keeping pretty busy in L-burg.” He gave a conspiratorial wink.
I laughed. “I have. And Felix told me how you’ve been helping back here.” I straightened my expression and took his shoulder in my hand. “Thank you. I mean it. I told Felix already, I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”
“You got it.”
“Where is Felix anyway? I haven’t seen him yet.”
Emilio stiffened. “Oh, you know. Just preparing, I’m sure.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Come on, Aiden will be ticked if you guys don’t say hi.”
We followed Emilio over to where Aiden stood in a group of gorgeous mixed company. The blond woman I knew to be his wife draped herself casually over his arm, looking unnaturally beautiful in a deep purple gown.
“Claren!” Aiden grinned and pulled me into a side hug. “And Rider. I always knew you’d end up in some cushy office job.”
“You know as well as anyone that being the head of my personal security is anything but cushy.” I gave him a playfully stern look.
Aiden laughed. “Do you remember my wife? This is Abigail. Abigail, Claren.”
We nodded our greetings.
“Where’s your lady tonight, E?” Aiden smacked him on the upper arm.
I glanced at Emilio. The thought that he was married had never crossed my mind. He must have noticed my expression because he chuckled. “At home. She hates these kinds of events.”
Of course he was married. He was over twenty, which meant he’d already been matched. But Rider was over twenty, too. That meant he—
I turned to Rider, who was closely watching my every move. He subtly shook his head. Not now.
Hmm. I’d file that away as another one of Rider’s mysteries. One day I’d figure him out. Maybe. But right now all I wanted to do was find Felix.
“I’m so glad I ran into you guys tonight. You look well.” I flashed a genuine smile at my boys. They’d become a little like family after all the adventures we’d gone through in the Outside with the Exiled. I almost missed those days. At least the Exiled were a group we could handle. The Supreme Leadership was a whole other beast.
“Take care of yourselves,” I added. “I’m going to go find Felix.”
“He’s prob—” Aiden’s words were cut off by Emilio’s elbow in his ribs. Something was definitely going on, here. But I’d have better luck finding him on my own than wasting my breath trying to get information out of these guys. That was the downside to having a team that had become like brothers.
“Never mind.” Aiden shoved his hands into the pockets of his suit pants. “Mind if we keep your bodyguard here for a few minutes? We’ve got some catching up to do.” Aiden’s eyes moved back and forth between Rider and one of Aiden’s wife’s friends standing nearby.
I grinned. “Keep him as long as you want. I promise I’ll be good.” I winked at Rider and turned back into the crowd.
I moved through the warm bodies, faking pleasan
tries and trying to remove myself from small talk as quickly as possible. The Leaders and Peacemakers surrounding me were friendly enough, but I wasn’t here to engage in conversation. I needed to find Felix. Where was he?
“Well look who it is.”
A familiar nasally voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Hi, Georgia.”
She sneered in response. “I have to say, I’m surprised to see you here at my party.”
“Your party?”
She twisted her overly made-up features into an exaggerated pout. “Oh, you poor thing. No one told you.”
I tried to wave her away. I didn’t have time for this. Georgia was barely a speck on my radar of problems these days. I stepped to the side to move around her and spotted Edgar watching us nervously along the wall behind her. He frowned when he saw me and looked away.
Our last interaction had been a bit awkward. He’d asked me about life Outside. I lied to him, diminishing any hope he may have had. The truth was, the deeper he got involved with the Leadership, the less I could trust him. Which was unfortunate, because deep down I still believed Edgar was a good guy. And he was the only other person who understood what it was like to be thrust from a humble upbringing like we’d experienced in Morton into the spotlight of everything the Leadership stood for.
Georgia pushed herself back in front of me. “Today is my birthday. Be rude, and I may just have you escorted out of here before the big announcement.”
I turned my focus back on her and forced a sickly sweet smile on my face. “Well, Happy Birthday, sunshine. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m looking for someone.”
She rolled her eyes and mumbled something condescending under her breath, but I didn’t hear her. I was too distracted by the strong outline of a man who’d just entered the room.
Felix smiled and waved at a couple of members of the media who crowded around him, but it was only half a smile at best. He was still exhausted, I could see it in the way he walked.
“Felix!” I called out to him, but he met my eyes with a look of grief. He glanced at Georgia, then back to me, and I immediately began making my way in his direction. But instead of meeting me halfway, he turned and began heading for the platform set up at the front of the room. People in the crowd smiled and patted him on the back as he made his way toward the front, but he never turned back to me. He just walked away as though he hadn’t spotted me at all.
