Rise (New Haven Book 3)

by Sara Jo Cluff

  “Fine,” Dante said as he stood. “We need to go help out at Headquarters anyway.” He looked at Eric. “Are you coming with us?”

  “No,” Eric said.

  Dante swore under his breath and then stormed out of the house. Everyone said goodbye to us and then left. Will and Dee were the last ones to say goodbye. As they were walking to the door, Janette stopped them.

  “You’re both welcome here, too.” Janette looked at Dee. “I can tell you don’t want to go back out there and I won’t force you to. I just wanted Dante out of here. He seemed a little too worked up.”

  “Thank you,” Will said.

  Dee looked at me. “Is that okay?”

  I got out a very quiet, “Yes.”

  Dee turned to Eric and he nodded. “You two are always welcomed around Emmie.”

  “I’ll let Maya know,” Will said. He went outside.

  Joshua went over to the fireplace. There was a nice fire going, heating the small room. He lay down in front of it. “Goodnight everyone. Thanks, Janette. Love you, Emmie.”

  Before anyone could respond, he was breathing deeply, already asleep. Janette left the room and came back with some blankets. She handed a few to Dee and then draped one over Joshua. She smiled at me and Eric. “Goodnight. Sleep well.”

  “We will,” Eric said. “Thanks again.”

  The door opened and Will came back inside. Taking off his shoes, he lay down next to Dee, who had already lay down on the floor. He covered them with some blankets and then threw Eric an extra one.

  Eric stroked my hair. “I’m going to sit you up a little so we can put a shirt on you. I’ll be as gentle as I can.” I tried to help him as much as I could, but I was way too weak. Once the shirt was on, Eric moved as to lie down on the floor.

  “No,” I said.

  Scooting me over on the couch, he lay down next to me. He put the blanket over us and wrapped his arms around me.

  “I love you,” he whispered into my ear. He gave me a soft kiss on the cheek and then I closed my eyes, snuggling into his chest. It wasn’t long until I was asleep.

  When I woke in the morning, Eric was already awake. He held me close, his arms wrapped tightly around me. I looked up at him and smiled. “Good morning.”

  He kissed me on the nose. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”

  “Surprisingly well,” I said. “I love Janette’s home. There’s something so comfy and inviting about it.”

  They had one-story log homes in Kingsland just like we did in New Haven. Pictures of Janette’s family hung on the wall near the brick fireplace.

  “It reminds me of our home,” Joshua said. With Eric’s help, I slowly sat up. Joshua was in the chair he’d been in the night before. He had a blanket wrapped around him and a mug was in his hand. He smiled at me. “How are you feeling?”

  “Terrible,” I said. My stomach was incredibly sore and so was my cheek. Eric pulled me close to him and wrapped his arm around me.

  Dee and Will came to sit on the couch next to us, both holding mugs in their hands like Joshua. Dee patted my leg as she sat down. “I was beginning to think you’d never wake up.”

  “What time is it?” I asked. My muscles screamed at me to stretch, but I figured that wouldn’t be good for my stitches.

  “A little after eleven,” Janette said, walking into the room. She handed Eric and me some mugs of hot chocolate. I breathed it in before I took a sip.

  “That late? I really slept in,” I said.

  “You needed it.” Janette lifted my shirt so she could see the stitches. “Everything looks good. We’ll clean it up before you leave.”

  The front door opened, and a boy walked in. He looked a couple of years younger than Elizabeth, so I figured it was Janette’s son. He had the same eyes as his mom and sister.

  He froze in place when he saw me. “You’re that girl everyone’s talking about. We’re all trying to figure out if you’re brave or crazy. I was betting on crazy.”

  “Jason!” Janette shook her head at her son. “Manners.”

  “Sorry,” Jason mumbled. He went into the kitchen, grabbed a couple of chairs and then came back into the living room, setting the chairs down next to his mom.

  “Emmie, this is my son Jason,” Janette said. She swatted him on the back of the head when he sat down.

  With his eyebrows furrowed, Jason rubbed his head. “I said I was sorry.” He looked at me. “There’s a whole bunch of rumors going around about you. One is that you’re dead, but by the looks of it, that one’s not true.”

  “It sure feels like it,” I said.

  There was a small knock at the door, so Jason jumped up to get it. When he opened it, Dante, Maya, Santiago, Terrance, and Marcus all walked in. Jason shut the door behind him and went to sit back down in the chair next to his mom, but she stopped him.

  “Always offer a lady your seat,” Janette said to Jason. She smiled at Maya. “You may sit here.”

  Before Maya sat down, she put her hand on Jason’s arm and thanked him. He flushed and smiled shyly at her.

  “What’s the latest news?” Joshua asked.

  Dante looked at me, but I couldn’t read his expression. I was usually able to read him so well, but I’d been off the past few days. He cleared his throat and then looked over at Joshua. “We attempted to capture President Coleman last night, but he got away.”

  “So did Brandon and some of the other guards,” Terrance said.

  “Where did they go?” Will asked.

  Santiago shrugged. “All we know is that they left Kingsland.”

  “You don’t think they know where New Haven is, do you?” I asked. I would hate for them to show up when none of us were there to protect them.

  Marcus shook his head. “I highly doubt that. I’m sure they’re just hiding out in the woods somewhere.”

  “What’s the plan now?” Dee asked.

  There was another knock at the door. As Jason went to go get it, Janette laughed. “My house is really popular.”

  When Jason opened the door, Zoe came rushing in. She ran over to me and took my hand in hers, almost knocking over my cup of hot chocolate. “Are you okay?”

  I forced a smile as I set my cup on the coffee table in front of me. “I’m fine.”

  Will stood and Dee scooted over on the couch so Zoe could sit next to me. She kept my hand in hers. “I heard you got stabbed and I freaked out. I wanted to come see you last night, but there was so much going on in my house and at Headquarters that I couldn’t sneak away.” She looked over at Dante and then back at me. “Then this morning they wanted me to let you rest.”

  I squeezed her hand. “Janette got me all stitched up. I’m going to be okay.”

  “As long as she rests,” Janette said. “I cannot stress that enough.”

  “To answer Dee’s question,” Dante said, “Marcus is going to run Kingsland for now. He’ll work closely with us and New Haven. But we still need to find President Coleman.”

  Zoe flinched at the mention of her dad. I rubbed her arm, hoping to give her at least some comfort.

  “There are some out there searching for him right now,” Marcus said. “And I’ll keep people out there around the clock until we find him.”

  “We’re headed back to New Haven,” Santiago said. “As soon as Emmie’s ready.”

  “Speaking of New Haven,” Eric said. “Has anyone contacted them?”

  Maya pulled a communicator out of her pocket. “We barely got our hands on these. I haven’t turned mine on yet. It’s been so crazy.” She tossed it to me. “That one’s yours.”

  Eric caught it and turned it on. The second he did, Derek’s voice filled the room. “Hello? Anyone there? This is Captain Awesome speaking.”

  I took the communicator from Eric and held it to my mouth. “Hello, Captain Awesome.” Zoe looked at me with raised eyebrows, so I tried to clarify. “He’s my brother and he’s crazy.”

  Joshua held up his good arm. “Other side of her family. I do not s
hare any blood with the guy.”

  “Where have you been?” Derek asked. “You’ve had all of us worried.”

  “Things got complicated,” I said. “But everyone’s alive.”

  “What about President Coleman?” Derek asked. “And Marcus?”

  “President Coleman and some of his security escaped the city,” I said. “But Marcus is here with us and he has a lot more supporters than he started with.”

  “Thanks to Emmie,” Eric said.

  “Well, you’ll have to tell us all about it when you get back,” Derek said. “Which needs to be soon.” His voice suddenly sounded urgent.

  “What’s wrong, Derek?” I asked.

  “Are there a lot of people listening?” Derek asked.

  “No,” I said.

  “Liar,” Derek said.

  I sighed. “Okay, so there are a few people in the room.”

  “How many is a few?” Derek asked.

  “Fourteen,” Zoe said.

  “Who’s that?” Derek asked. “I don’t recognize the voice.”

  “Her name is Zoe,” I said. “She's President Coleman’s daughter.”

  Derek gasped. “Friend or foe?”

  “Friend,” I said. “She helped us out last night. Now just tell me what’s wrong.”

  “Not with that many people in the room,” Derek said. “How do I know I can trust all of them?”

  “You can,” Dante said, his voice loud to carry across the room. “Just tell us, Derek.”

  “Are you positive?” Derek asked.

  “Yes,” Dante, Eric, Santiago, Maya, and I all said at the same time. Jason laughed.

  “I didn’t recognize that laugh,” Derek said, sounding alarmed. “Who’s that?”

  I fought the urge to swear. “Derek, tell me now!”

  The communicator went dead for a minute. We all waited eagerly. Finally, Derek’s voice came through. “President Mendes said I could tell you. First, someone showed up in New Haven yesterday.”

  “Who?” I asked.

  “She said you know her,” Derek said. “Her name is Jen.”

  Dee and I exchanged a glance. “As in my dorm leader, Jen?”

  We had some run-ins with Jen during Recruitment. She broke up a few of my fights.

  “Yes,” Derek said.

  “What's she doing in New Haven?” I asked.

  Derek was silent again. He sighed before he answered. “She said Mom sent her.”

  The communicator dropped from my hand. I stared at it in my lap as if my mom might jump out of it. I hadn’t thought about her in a long while.

  “Emmie?” Derek said. “Are you still there?”

  Slowly picking up the communicator, I cleared my throat. “Yes, I’m here. Why did Mom send her?”

  “Are you sitting down?” Derek asked. “In fact, is everyone sitting down? And also, can you really trust everyone in the room?”

  Janette stood. “Jason, let’s give them some privacy.” When they were out of the room, Dante and Santiago sat down in the chairs they had been using. Terrance leaned against the wall.

  Giving my hand a quick squeeze, Zoe stood. “I’ll be outside.” She looked at Dante as she passed him and then stepped outside. Marcus followed her out, closing the door behind them.

  “Derek, there’s just New Haven residents left in the room,” I said. “Please tell us what’s going on.”

  “It’s big news,” Derek said. “I’m not even sure where to begin.”

  “Start with why Jen’s there,” I said.

  “She didn’t tell me much,” Derek said. “Just that Mom sent her. She won’t tell me why, though. She’ll only talk to you. She did tell me …” He let out a long sigh. “Emmie, River Springs is split.”

  “What do you mean split?” Eric asked.

  “It’s divided in two,” Derek said. “Mom is controlling one side with Amy and Tami Randall.”

  Joshua looked at me with startled eyes when he heard his mom and sister’s name.

  “And President Randall?” I asked. “Where is he?”

  Derek cleared his throat. “Is Joshua in the room?”

  “Yes,” Joshua said. “I’m here.”

  Derek swore. “I was hoping you wouldn’t be. Listen, I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. Joshua, Emmie, your dad … well, he’s dead.”

  Joshua and I sat there staring at each other. I wasn’t sure how to react. Joshua finally stood and went to stand next to the fireplace.

  “How?” I had to force the question out. “When?”

  “Last year,” Derek said. “Not long after the battle with Juniper ended.” He paused. “As for the how, this is where you really need to be sitting down.”

  I looked over at Joshua. “Joshua, do you want to sit back down?” He shook his head and stared at the fire.

  “Tell us, Derek.” I didn’t realize my hand was shaking until Eric put his hand over it.

  “He was killed,” Derek said. “Shot in his office.”

  “Someone assassinated him?” Eric asked.

  “Yes,” Derek said. Joshua leaned his hand up against the mantle over the fire. “And that person is now leading the other side of River Springs. This is why they haven’t come to attack New Haven.”

  “They know where we are?” Dante asked, his voice loud so Derek could hear it.

  “Yes,” Derek said. “They’ve known for a while. But with the split in the city, they haven’t been able to go through with their plans.”

  “Who is it?” I asked.

  “Is it someone we know?” Eric asked. Rubbing my arm, he pulled me closer to him.

  “Uh, this is the major part I didn’t want to tell you,” Derek said. “Well, one of the major parts. But, um, the person who killed President Randall and who wants to destroy New Haven … well …”

  “Just spit it out!” Santiago yelled.

  “It's Austin,” Derek said.

  My heart stopped for a few beats. The communicator would have slipped through my hands if Eric hadn’t been helping me hold it. The room spun. Putting my hand on my forehead, I leaned into Eric.

  My voice was quiet. “That’s not possible. He’s dead.”

  “That’s what we thought,” Derek said. “But he faked his death. He made Luke think he’d been killed. He’d been working against us the whole time. Him and Amber.”

  Bile rose in my throat and I had to force it back down. “He’s been working with Amber? How is this possible?”

  “I don’t know, Em,” Derek said. “I really don’t know. But it’s the truth.”

  “It’s what Jen told you,” Eric said. “How do you know we can trust her?”

  “I did the lie detector test on her,” Derek said. “And she passed. It’s all the truth. Austin killed President Randall and he and Amber have now taken over half of the city. Mom rallied a lot of the residents and they came to her side of the city. They’ve been at war this past year.”

  “No,” I said. “It can’t be true. Austin isn’t capable of this.” I looked at Joshua. He still stared at the fire. I turned to Eric. “Help me up.”

  “Emmie, just stay seated for now,” Eric said.

  I shook my head. “Please, Eric.” He sighed and helped me to my feet. I walked over to Joshua, putting my hand on his uninjured arm. “Joshua, look at me.”

  He stared at the fire, his face completely blank. I shook him, but he wouldn’t budge. “Joshua, tell me it’s not the truth. Tell me you didn’t know. Tell me something.” When Joshua didn’t move, I shook him again. “Joshua, please, talk to me.” I gripped his arm as hard as I could. “Tell me!”

  With tears forming in his eyes, he finally turned to me. “I … I …” He looked at everyone in the room and then turned back to me. “I didn’t know he killed Dad, I swear.”

  Releasing my grip, I dropped my arm. “You knew he was alive? You knew Austin was alive and didn’t say anything?”

  Joshua’s voice was barely audible. “He told me not to.”
<
br />   I stepped away from him. “I trusted you, Joshua. You betrayed me! You betrayed New Haven!”

  “No!” Joshua pleaded. “No! I didn’t know he wanted to harm New Haven.” He came up to me and put his hands on my arms. “You have to believe me, Emmie. I didn’t know Austin was bad. I thought he was going to help us.”

  “How would that help us?” I asked. “How would me thinking he’s dead benefit me in any way?”

  “I don’t know.” Tears fell down his cheeks and onto the floor. “I trusted him as much as you did. He made me swear that I wouldn’t say anything. He’s looked after me my whole life. I felt like I owed it to him.” Choking on his sobs, he pulled his arms away from me. “It was only last month that I started to catch on that something was off with him. But by then I was too far into it. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how.”

  I slapped him on the cheek as hard as I could, ignoring the pain from the movement. “You walk into my room and tell me!”

  With startled eyes, he placed his hand on his cheek. “I couldn’t. After everything you’ve done for me …” He looked me in the eyes. “Emmie, I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t want you to think I was a traitor. You coming into my life has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. I finally felt like I had family and I was accepted.”

  “What have you told him?” Eric asked. I looked over at him and his face was red, his hands balled into fists. If I wasn’t standing between the two of them, Eric would have hit Joshua.

  Joshua ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know. We talk about basic stuff. I trusted him. I never thought anything I said would hurt New Haven, I swear.”

  “You said something changed over the last month,” Dante said.

  He, Maya, and Santiago had come up next to us.

  “Yes,” Joshua said. “He’s seemed angrier. He’s been asking more questions about our military and how we run things. He tried to make it sound like he wanted to know so he could make the same choices at Infinity Corp.”