From the Embers (Ember Society Book 3)

by AR Colbert

  Felix stood still on the curb, his eyes never leaving the car. I watched him grow smaller and smaller through the side mirror until we turned a corner and he was finally out of sight. And a strange feeling washed over me, like I was leaving something precious behind.

  We hadn’t even made it to the edge of town before Everett began stirring in the back seat. Emmaline, Rider, and I sat quietly, none of us making a single sound as his writhing increased and muffled groans made their way through the gag in his mouth. Emmaline picked up speed, going much faster than the legal limits as we zipped across the empty streets of Classen City.

  Finally, we were out, flying down the roads of the Outside toward the airstrip. Everett’s strength was back, and he fought violently against his restraints. I turned and made eye contact with Rider, who had one foot placed firmly against the back of Everett’s head, holding him solidly in a position that kept him facing the underside of Emmaline’s seat.

  I made a gun shape with my hand, pulling an invisible trigger as I silently mouthed stun him. Rider shook his head, though his hand was gripping the weapon. He nodded toward Emmaline.

  When we arrived in front of the hangar, Emmaline gestured for me to get out of the car. I joined her near the trunk, aware of my position so that Rider could keep an eye on us through the window. I still didn’t trust her.

  “Thank you for staying quiet,” she said. “I know you must have so many questions, but we can’t talk in front of Everett. Did you get the journal?”

  “Yes. It’s in the car.”

  “Good. Take it on the plane and do not let it out of your sight. I’ll be joining you back in Louisburg, but I won’t be sitting with you on the flight. I need to speak with Everett when he wakes up again. You and Rider stay up front so he won’t see you, and I’ll stay with him in the back.”

  Unease twisted my insides. After everything that happened, it felt foolish to trap myself inside a small vessel in the sky with Emmaline and Everett. There was truly no escaping a plane in flight. And yet, I still felt compelled to trust her. Was she manipulating me again?

  Emmaline’s lips pulled into a pout. “I know you have no reason to believe I’m on your side, but I am. It will all make sense soon. I promise. We’ll talk all about it when we get back to Everett’s house.”

  She walked over to Rider’s window and gave two quick taps and a nod. Rider opened the door, not bothering to avoid Everett’s body as he harshly stepped out of the vehicle, eliciting a loud grunt from the man. Then he raised his weapon and pulled the trigger. Everett’s body jolted once before going limp again.

  “Charles!” Emmaline called out over her shoulder. “Will you please help us with our extra baggage here?”

  CHAPTER 28

  My knuckles were white around the armrests of my seat as our plane soared high up into the air. This was my third time on a plane, and the feeling was still just as unnerving as the first time I flew. Beside me, Rider looked much less concerned.

  We didn’t have time to grab our things before leaving the party, so I had nothing to hide Emmaline’s journal in but my dress—and there really wasn’t much to the dress. I slid it under my thigh once we were seated on the plane, and it pressed into my leg during the flight—a constant reminder of the treasure inside.

  It felt like a treasure anyway. It could’ve been just a list of Emmaline’s favorite restaurants for all I really knew, but something told me it was more than that. It was something worth hiding, even from Rider. And as badly as I wanted to unsnap the closure and flip through its pages, I knew it would be better to wait until I was alone.

  The plane wasn’t terribly small, but it felt as though Rider and I were in our own private room. Charles and Dusty, our pilots, sat up front in the cockpit. Felix’s large crate sat in the middle of the plane, separating us from Emmaline and Everett, who was still thoroughly knocked out last I checked, in the back.

  Though we were essentially alone, it still felt necessary to whisper. “Do you have any idea what Emmaline is up to?”

  Rider shook his head. “No, but I’m not too worried about her.”

  “Why not?” I thought she was pretty intimidating, personally.

  “Because as soon as she accepted the zip ties from me back in her office, she made herself an accomplice to our crime. Any Peacemaker worth their weight would be able to deduce the truth in an interrogation.”

  “So she won’t be able to turn us in without getting herself executed as well...” I nodded my appreciation of his tactics.

  “That’s right.” Rider grinned.

  “Hmm,” I said. “You’re smarter than you look.”

  “I’m more than just a pretty face,” he said with a serious expression, and I couldn’t help but laugh. It had been a long day, and the laughter felt good. But reality would come crashing back in as soon as we landed near Louisburg.

  Turning toward the small window next to my seat, I allowed my mind to wander. Asher would be waiting for us at the airstrip when we landed, but then what? Would we just drive Everett home like nothing had happened? Tie him up somewhere in the woods? Shoot him? I shuddered at the thought. He was not a good man, but the thought of purposely taking his life felt wrong.

  Rider’s muffled snores brought me back to the present. His head was propped by the seat, mouth slightly ajar as he snoozed. He looked almost childlike when he slept. I grinned, and stood to stretch my arms and legs. It would have been nice to doze off, but my nerves were alive—almost itchy. So I decided to investigate the weapons in Felix’s crate instead.

  But as I reached the box, I heard movement in the back of the plane. Crouching low, I scooted myself near the edge of the crate and heard Emmaline’s voice, firm and deliberate from the back row.

  “We need to talk, Everett.”

  “Where are you taking me?” His voice was angry and raw from the gag.

  “I’m not answering questions right now. That’s your job. Now tell me where they’re attacking next.”

  “Who?” Everett feigned ignorance, but even on the other side of the crate I could see through his act. He must have looked like a fool to Emmaline.

  “Cut the crap, Everett. We both know what’s going on.”

  “Ask them yourself. I’m sure you’ll get to hear all about it when you fly out next week. Oh wait—that’s right. You’re not flying out next week because they’ll have you murdered for assaulting and kidnapping me!”

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  “Only if I got to watch.” The arrogance in his voice turned my stomach. Even bound and kidnapped, he acted like he had the upper hand.

  “Look, I’m going to try this one more time. Tell me when and where the next attack is planned, or I may just have our pilot open the hatch so I can roll you out of here.”

  “Who’s flying us today? Anthony? Charles?”

  Emmaline didn’t answer, and I leaned in closer, desperate to catch every detail.

  “This is Charles’ plane. I recognize the stain in the carpet over there where a friend of mine spilled her wine last month. You foolish woman. Charles is loyal to me. If the Supreme Leadership hasn’t already heard about your treason, they will as soon as we land. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep me safe. Charles is my pilot.”

  “Wrong. Charles works for all of us. And he’s obviously learned how to keep his friends close and his enemies closer.”

  “We’ll see,” Everett said smugly.

  Emmaline tsked. “Don’t you understand? I don’t need your consent to get what I want.” She laughed. “Sound familiar?” Her tone was sweet. Too sweet.

  Everett cursed loudly. “Don’t you dare touch me!” he shouted.

  “Trust me,” Emmaline cooed. Her voice was nearly a whisper. “You want to tell me everything I need to know.”

  Everett sighed. “Yes, okay. I’ll tell you what I know.” His voice was softer now, too. Almost dream-like.

  What? There was no way he’d actually agree to help her. I inched around
the crate and peeked past the corner. Emmaline had scooted forward to the edge of her seat. Her hands were resting gently on either side of Everett’s face. Fury burned in her eyes, but other than that, she was the picture of calm. Her features were loose, her soft pout curved into a gentle, soothing smile.

  I’d gotten pretty good at projecting emotion into others—or so I thought. But compared to Emmaline I was an amateur. The way she relaxed such a hostile and angry man was like an artist adding effortless details to her masterpiece. I’d never seen such power over another human being. It was both beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

  “When is the next attack?” Her voice was soothing, like a lullaby.

  “They haven’t told me,” Everett said quietly. He was ashamed.

  “Have they told you where?”

  “No.” He dropped his gaze to the floor. “They haven’t told me anything in nearly two weeks.”

  “Why not?” Emmaline tilted her head slightly, but her hands never left Everett’s face.

  If I didn’t understand what was going on, I would have believed Emmaline was genuinely concerned. Her acting skills were superb.

  “They’re mad at me,” Everett sniffled. Was he crying? “They found out about the protests, and they’re mad that I put her in danger.”

  “They must not have realized what a threat to her you were,” Emmaline mumbled. I expected a smart retort from Everett, but he remained silent. “Is there anything else you know that might be useful for me? Anything at all?”

  Everett thought for a moment. “Yes. Most of them trust you, but not all of them. I confided in Cynthia. I told her I thought you were working for the other side.”

  “I see.” Emmaline pressed her lips into a thin line. Her facade was beginning to falter. “Well, you look tired, Everett. I suggest you get some rest.”

  He yawned. “Yes, I am very tired. Thank you.”

  She held her hands to his face for another minute, and pulled them away with the sound of his first snore. Then she cut her eyes straight to where I was crouched behind the box. Her eyes locked onto mine before I could pull myself all the way back behind it.

  “Is Rider asleep?” she called out.

  “Yes,” I replied. There was no use trying to pretend I wasn’t spying on her now. I’d been caught.

  “Good. You should try to sleep, too.”

  I stood and returned to my seat. I was so very tired, but there was no chance I would allow myself to sleep now. Not unless Emmaline somehow made me, the same way she’d controlled Everett. A shiver wriggled down my spine. That woman was five feet of pure terror when she wanted to be. I could only hope she wasn’t lying about us being on the same side. She was not someone I would want to be my enemy.

  Rider woke as soon as our wheels touched the ground.

  “Hey, bodyguard. Did you have a nice nap?” I wanted to tell him all about what I’d seen with Emmaline, but now wasn’t the time. She was probably listening, anyway.

  He chuckled. “You’re still alive. Good. Guess I did my job, then.” Rider grabbed his stun gun and stood. After a quick stretch, he squeezed past the weapon crate toward Emmaline.

  “Oh. I was coming to see if you needed help, but it looks like you’ve got things under control.” He stared at Everett’s still form.

  “He’s just sleeping.” Emmaline finished gathering her things. She smoothed out the skirt of her gown and said, “You can stun him again when the car is ready.” She turned to me. “Is your driver here?”

  “He said he would be. Are we taking Everett with us in the car?”

  “Of course. How else would we get him back to the house?” She looked as serious as she could be. After a moment of confused silence, she must have sensed my growing frustration, because she added, “We’re going to keep him locked up in his home for the time being.”

  “For how long?”

  “As long as it takes. Eventually, other plans will shift into movement and we can do away with him. But for now, we need him alive. I’ll stay with you while the other Leaders conduct their investigations, but only until next week. Then I’ll have to go away for a bit.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Nowhere!” Everett yelled. He wasn’t sleeping after all. And my cover was blown. “You can’t hide me in my own house! Word will get out, and you will be destroyed. All of you!”

  He focused his stormy blue eyes on me. “You’ve fallen into the wrong crowd, Claren. I expected more of you.”

  “Shut him up, please, Rider.” Emmaline coolly walked toward the exit as Rider pulled out his weapon.

  A few minutes later, Charles helped Rider cram Everett’s stunned body into the back seat of our car, while Emmaline made quiet arrangements for the crate with Dusty, the copilot. I took the opportunity to catch up with Asher.

  “Thank you for coming out so late.” I ran my hands up and now my arms, trying to create some warmth. It was colder in Louisburg. The sky was cloudless, and a million tiny stars twinkled around the moon, which was perched directly overhead.

  “Of course,” Asher grinned. “Traffic isn’t half bad in the middle of the night.”

  I turned back to the other men, who had just arranged a blanket to cover Everett’s body on the floorboard. Asher watched silently beside me, not even attempting to cover up his smile.

  “Aren’t you going to ask about Director Walsh?” I asked.

  “Nah. It’s not my business. I just love that I’m getting to witness this.”

  “Ahem.” Asher and I both startled at the sound of Emmaline behind us. “Pardon me for interrupting. But I want to thank you in advance for your discretion,” she said to Asher. “Obviously, tonight’s events are extremely confidential. You seem like a smart young man, and Claren trusts you. Don’t let her down.” Her smile never faltered, but her underlying message was clear.

  Asher gulped. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Emmaline’s eyes flashed down to the notebook tucked under my arm and gestured for me to follow her off to the side. “Things may get a little hectic over the next week. Emotions will run high as the people realize Everett is missing. I need you to keep the notebook on you at all times. You never know when you might need to pick up and leave, and you cannot leave it behind.”

  “This is for me?”

  I could’ve sworn she almost teared up. “Yes. I’ve been waiting a long time to give it to you. I don’t want to sound dramatic, but this book may just hold your future, and if we’re lucky, the future for us all. Keep it safe.”

  “I will.”

  Emmaline held my gaze for a moment longer. I thought she may say more, but after a bit she turned back toward the car and waved goodbye to Charles and Dusty.

  “We’ll keep the crate stored here in the hangar for you as long as you need us to,” Charles said.

  “Thank you.”

  “Oh—and Ms. Frasier? It’s okay with us if we never see Director Walsh again.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Emmaline pulled the door shut, and we drove off into the dark night sky.

  CHAPTER 29

  The sun was streaking through my windows what felt like mere moments after I’d laid my head on my pillow. I groaned and slid my arm underneath to the cool sheets hiding on the other side, and my hand bumped into the leathery spine of Emmaline’s journal. Then it all came crashing back.

  I sat up and rubbed my forehead. It had been an eventful night. Felix matched with Georgia, whose mother had been trying to spy on me. Everett forced himself on me and Felix stunned him. Emmaline helped us hide his body and gave me this journal. She said she was on our side, but then I watched her practically force Everett to spill his guts with just a touch on his face. Whether good or bad, she definitely wasn’t normal.

  And now she was here in this house... probably. The truth was, I couldn’t really remember much after getting into the car with Asher. I’d passed out from exhaustion on the way home. I struggled to retrieve groggy memories of Joy helping me out of my gown and into my
pajamas, but I couldn’t recall anything about Everett. Where was he?

  I hurried to get dressed, splashed some cool water on my face, and dashed down the stairs into the dining room. Rider, Raf, Joy, and Asher were already there.

  “What are you guys doing?” I glanced nervously around the room.

  “Everett’s gone, and we didn’t figure you’d mind if we sat to eat.” Asher shoved half a piece of toast into his mouth.

  “What do you mean, ‘Everett’s gone?’”

  “We locked him up.” Raf grinned. “You really dine in style, by the way. I had no idea it was so nice in here.” He and Asher chuckled, but I found no humor in the situation.

  Panic was rising in my chest. They’d be in so much trouble if they were caught in here. They could even be exiled. Except Raf—he’d already been exiled. His next stop was an execution.

  “Come on! You’ve got to get out before someone sees you in here. Especially you!” I scowled at Raf. I couldn’t believe he was being so irresponsible.

  “Claren.” Rider’s calm voice drew my attention. His demeanor was contagious, and my breathing slowed as he took a long sip of his coffee. “They’re okay. Emmaline knows about Raf, and she couldn’t care less who you invite to eat with you.”

  Emmaline! How could I have forgotten about her? I stuck my head out into the hallway, scanning left and right, but there was no sign of her. “Where is she?”

  “Sit down.” Joy stood. “I’ll grab you some tea, and the boys will fill you in.”

  I did as I was told, steepling my fingers above the table and focusing on Rider. “Tell me everything.”

  He took another quick drink and set his mug on the table. “Everett woke up before we got him inside last night. I offered to stun him again, but Emmaline was afraid his body couldn’t handle another shock.”

  Raf snorted. “You should’ve done it anyway.”

  Rider smirked. Apparently, Emmaline and I were the only two people not trying to kill Everett.

  “So,” Rider continued, “Asher and I needed a little extra help getting him inside. Emmaline doesn’t want too many people involved, so she asked us to get someone we trust.”