Denounced (Exalted Trilogy: Book 2)

by Elizabeth, Tara

  “Sorry, Ethan,” I mumble.

  “Mena?” he pauses and really looks at me now. “Why are you dressed like that?”

  I ignore his question. “I have to talk to you two today. It’s urgent. Meet me after dinner in the magnolia tree by the East Gate.” I turn back to the pesky weeds.

  “We’ll be there, Mena,” Val whispers as she nudges Ethan forward.

  ***

  After an uneventful dinner, I head outside. There are very few citizens out and about and absolutely no gardening citizens out. Since the Exalted don’t notice us, I am hoping they don’t notice my green clothing. The sky is dark, which helps my cause. I find it hard not to rush, but that would be uncharacteristic of a citizen. My pace is slow and my steps are light.

  I leave the path when the magnolia trees come into view. This was the best place I could think of where we could all get together without drawing attention to ourselves. It’s the perfect hiding spot that’s out in the open. Once I am standing under the canopy of the first tree, I look up into the branches. It’s empty, so I move onto the next tree. Val is waiting for me, perched on a branch about mid-way up.

  After glancing around, I jump straight up and grab onto a low hanging branch. It allows me to easily swing up to the next branch. From here, I climb up next to Val. “Where’s Ethan,” I ask my best friend.

  “I guess he’s coming,” she answers. “He’s been acting strange lately.”

  “Since the Trials, right? I’ve noticed that he’s been acting jealous or something about my new position. Is that what you mean?”

  “No, this has only been since the execution.”

  “Oh,” I mutter. Then I spot Ethan roaming around the trees, looking like he doesn’t know what to do. “Psst. Ethan.”

  He side steps over to the tree and after a few seconds, he’s sitting below us on a thick branch. “Hey,” he greets us with reservation. “What are we doing here, Mena?”

  I take a deep breath before I begin. I really wish I had the opportunity to speak to each one of them individually, but I don’t have the time for that. The United Ceremony is coming and I don’t want to have missed my chance. “I’m leaving the Republic . . . Ryker and I are leaving the Republic,” I correct myself. “We want you both to come with us. Ryker is going to speak to my parents as well, to let them know about our plans. I believe they will come too.”

  “Leave the Republic?” Val stammers. “I will absolutely go with you, but can we do that?”

  “We’re going to try. I thought coming back here would be a good thing, but right now and in the foreseeable future, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to get anything accomplished. I can’t do anything useful as a citizen and Dr. Fredericks is growing suspicious. I have to leave.” I don’t say anything about not wanting to be United with Ethan just yet. That is better left for a private conversation. But I do say, “Ethan, I know the Republic is very important to you, but I want you to seriously consider this. Please.”

  “I’ll leave with you,” he blurts out without even taking a second to consider the consequences.

  “Really?” I am more than shocked by his response. I thought for sure that I would have to convince him. “What’s going on with you, Ethan?”

  “I . . .” he starts. “I . . . Ever since the execution, I’ve realized that you were right about the Republic. I thought things here were good, but they’re not. No person or place that is good could have executed someone like they did. I can’t stay here.” He buries his face in his hands and inhales deeply. He looks up at me once again. “I have a confession.”

  “A confession? What?” I don’t like the tone of his voice or the look on his face. I can clearly see the dread covering his light features through the darkness of the night.

  “It was me,” he admits.

  “What was you? You turned Sean in?” I instantly become furious.

  “No! No! That wasn’t me . . . During the Trials, I turned you into Dr. Fredericks for being off the Pump. I went to him after the Second Trial. I didn’t want you to finish first. I doubted myself after Az beat me. I didn’t think I could win, so I sabotaged you. I’m sorry.”

  “You did what?” I say through gritted teeth.

  “I’m sorry, Mena.”

  “Sorry?” My left leg lurches forward and slams into Ethan’s broad chest. He wasn’t expecting it, so it’s not surprising when he falls to the ground with a thud. He lands flat on his back. “We leave during the United Ceremony,” I hiss down to him.

  “Mena?” Val says.

  “He’ll be okay.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Today is the day of the United Ceremony. My stomach has been in knots since I woke up. My breakfast couldn’t be any less appetizing. Thankfully, citizens don’t have to eat everything they are given. I take advantage of this and shovel my eggs and toast into the trash at the front of the room. I’m actually looking forward to getting out in the sun and doing my citizen job. It’s a soothing job and I need to relax.

  Upon leaving the cafeteria, I’m stopped in the corridor by an Exalted guard. “Rebecca?” he asks me.

  “Yes?” My insides quiver. I don’t want any problems—not today of all days.

  “Dr. Fredericks has requested a meeting with you in his office. Now.” The guard turns and walks away from me. I suppose I am expected to follow him, so I do. I keep my head down as I follow after his black boots.

  Dread is seeping into the cracks in my mind. I can’t fight it off. Dr. Fredericks is always surprising me, and I’ve come to realize that I don’t like surprises. What will today’s surprise hold? A new job. Will he send me to one of the other Republics? Has he discovered our plan to leave? I hate that he has me twisted up inside like this.

  The guard presses the button in the elevator and we ride up together in silence. The blood-red hallway threatens to swallow me whole as I walk its length. The guard knocks three times on the door, signaling my arrival. When the door opens, I am surprised not to see Dr. Fredericks sitting at his desk. Once I get further into the room, I see that so many of his stolen tokens are strewn about the floor. He’s standing next to his bookcase, holding the small wooden carving that belonged to a child—the one Ryker and I took from days or weeks ago. I can’t be sure. Since I’ve been with the citizens, I’ve lost track of the days. They are all the same.

  Dr. Fredericks strokes the head of the carving. His face twists in rage and then he snaps the head off at the neck. He launches it at me. “He’s corrupted you, hasn’t he? He has corrupted my best resource,” he roars at the top of his lungs.

  “No, sir,” I answer with assurance, though I don’t know whom he’s really referring to. “I am loyal to you and to the Republic.”

  He throws another token at me that he plucks off the shelf. “These are his lies. He betrayed me.”

  Realization dawns on me. He’s talking about Ryker. What is he going to do to Ryker? I shift my weight, hoping he won’t notice my shaky legs.

  Dr. Fredericks lunges forward and comes to stand directly in front of me. “Tonight, during the United Ceremony, Ryker will be Denounced,” he hisses. He brings his face close to mine, so close that I fear he will bite me. Instead, he moves his mouth to my ear and whispers, “Then, he will be executed.” He quickly draws back so that he can watch my reaction. “He will be another example to the Exalted.”

  I count in my head. One. Two. Three. Four . . . I keep my breathing even. My pulse fights to beat faster, but I force it to stay normal. I don’t say anything. What can I say?

  “Should I have you join him, Mena? You were on those scouting missions with him, after all. You are guilty, as well.” He walks around me, getting excited. “Ooh, but I love you. You are such a perfect spy.”

  Love? I hate that he used such a powerful word. I hate him. He is planning on killing the man I love tonight. This changes everything.

  “No, sir,” I answer him. “As I said, I am loyal to you. I will do as you want. I will kill him, if that wil
l prove to you that I am loyal.” What did I just say? Yes, that is right. I need to be able to get close to him if I stand a chance of saving him. I can’t believe this is happening. If there were any doubts, I now know there are no other options. We have to leave. And now I have to save Ryker.

  “Oh, why yes! That would be splendid! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself.” His smile stretches from ear to ear. He rubs his hands together as if he’s plotting something more sinister than what I’ve already suggested. The little man shuffles over to his desk, then remembering that I’m still here says, “I had Ryker bring up your trunk before I arrested him. It’s in the hall bathroom. Put on your Exalted uniform. I am graciously allowing you to join your fellow trainees today. Am I not fair and gracious?

  “Yes, sir. You are very fair and gracious. Thank you, sir.” I bow to a man I hate. This is the last time I will do it.

  “Why thank you, Mena. Now, you must return here before the United Ceremony so you can change into your dress. It will be waiting for you in the hall bathroom as well.” He smiles and slithers over to his desk. “I will see you there, prize.”

  I bow and leave the office. Tears stream from my eyes the second the door shuts behind me. Ryker is to be Denounced and executed in just a few hours . . . by me! I feel like ripping this chaotic organ from my chest. It’s hurts so much.

  Once inside the private bathroom, I sink to the floor and let out a strangled cry. I let myself get swallowed by my fear and heartache for just a few minutes. I fully plunge into the darkness, sinking deeper and deeper into the black.

  When it’s time to pull myself together and be strong once more, I do it. Two minutes is hardly enough to time to let my body physically express the emotions I am feeling, but it’s all the time that I have. I have to get out of this bathroom and make new plans. I have to make sure my parents know we are leaving. Ryker may not have been able to get to them. Dr. Fredericks never mentioned when he arrested him. Oh, and I have to tell Jenna as well. There’s so much to do before tonight.

  After splashing cold water on my face, I throw open my trunk. The first thing I do is run my finger over the hilts of my knives. “I missed you,” I say to them. My black clothes are on my body in seconds, along with my boots and knife belt. I feel like myself—mostly.

  It’s time to go. I head down the prophetic hallway. The stairs take me quickly down to the grand lobby. I am finally able to hold my head up high as I walk amongst the Ambassadors. Outside the air is warm and humid. Sweat forms on the back of my neck immediately. I pull my hair back. This act makes me feel powerful, like I’m about to burst into action. I jog through the courtyards, straight for my old building. Instead of stopping on my floor, I keep going up the stairs.

  Unfortunately, I find that my parent’s apartment is empty when I get there. They must be on duty. I will have to make an excuse to get outside the gates to find them. Before I leave, I go into their tiny bedroom. Jenna will need Exalted clothing if she has any hope of escaping with us. I dig through my mother’s dresser and pull out a training top, pants, and socks. I also take a pair of black boots. Now, what can I put them in? Everything seems too obvious.

  After digging around the apartment some more, I decide to throw it all into the small trashcan from the bathroom. I crumple up a few tissues and put them on top of the black clothes. I hurriedly head for the infirmary.

  “Can I help you?” the citizen at the entry desk asks me when I enter. She has black hair, dark eyes, and a pretty face.

  “I need to see a medical citizen,” I respond, while trying to appear ill. I hold out the trashcan to her. “I’ve been vomiting.”

  “One minute.” She leaves the desk and scurries around the corner. A few seconds later, she returns with a male medical citizens. He is not the person I want to see.

  “This way, trainee,” he instructs me to follow. There is no sympathy in his voice. It’s a little disheartening that he doesn’t care at all if I’m ill.

  As I follow him down the quiet hallway, I strain my neck this way and that to catch a glimpse of Jenna. The door to the office she was working in previously is open, and I hear voices coming from within. Sure enough, when we pass by, I see her sitting at her desk. “Citizen, where is the restroom. I am going to be sick,” I say as I stop in front of the open door. Jenna swivels around in her chair. We lock eyes for an instant until the male citizen points to a door on his left. I rush forward, pretending to be sick.

  When I emerge, Jenna is waiting for me. “This way, trainee,” she says with no emotion. I follow her into an exam room. She shuts the door behind us. “What’s going on? It has to be important if you risked coming here.”

  “Yes, it is.” I put the trashcan down on the exam table. “We’re leaving tonight. Did Ryker make it to you to tell you?”

  “No.” She shakes her head. Her eyes begin to reflect her worry.

  I don’t have time to comfort her right now. All I can do is give her instructions. “Here are some clothes. Make sure you put on the armbands. Walk tall. Look the other Exalted in the eyes. Did Ryker tell you about the underground passages before?” When she nods yes, I continue, “Go into the building where the Exalteds’ Third Trial Banquet is held. Take the stairs down. You will enter a large space filled with vehicles. There is a truck with a 4-wheeler strapped on the back. The truck is dark green and has, hopefully, been packed with supplies. Climb inside and wait for us. Don’t come out until one of us opens the door. If no one makes it there by midnight, get back to your room. Do you understand, Jenna?”

  “Yes, I understand.” She reaches out with shaky hands to retrieve the trashcan. “How are you going to make it if you’re at the Ceremony?”

  I quickly tell her our plan and even solicit a little help from her. She agrees with no problem, but I can tell that she is nervous. I put my steady hand over one of hers. “It will be okay, Jenna. You can do this.” I decide not to tell her about Ryker. She is stressed out enough.

  Now, I need to find my father.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  Excuses. I run a number of false excuses over in my mind as I make my way to the North Gate. I see Brian, the North Gate head guard, when I get close. Before I was assigned to work with Ryker, I reported to Brian for my duty here. Unfortunately, he doesn’t look like he remembers me. He marches over to stand in the middle of the entrance, blocking my path. “What are doing here, trainee? All my posts are filled today,” he barks at me.

  “Sir, I’m here with a message for Fergus.”

  “A message? From whom?”

  “Dr. Fredericks, sir.”

  Exalted aren’t known to be liars, so he moves aside quickly. “He’s in the tower. Give him your message and then leave.”

  “Yes, sir,” I answer as I walk past him. My stomach flips flops, as I get closer to the tower. I’m waiting for someone to call me out—for someone to tackle me and haul me away to be Denounced along with Ryker. It doesn’t happen . . . not yet, anyway.

  I wrap my hands around the cool steel of the ladder that soars up into the sky. I scaled one of these ladders once before with Ethan, but we were both on the Pump then. As I get higher, I think about what would happen if I slipped. These thoughts never registered with me before. While I’m not scared, it’s still strange. There are so many things that are different now.

  I climb up through the hole in the floor to see two men with sniper rifles. They are looking out over the fields through the scopes. My father is here as well as . . . Ethan?

  “Father.” They both turn around at the sound of my voice. It is Ethan as I suspected. They both appear to be surprised to see me. I look between them and realize that they aren’t hiding their physical expressions. “You two know about each other?”

  “Only just recently when you told Val and me that we were leaving. You said you were going to tell your parents as well, so I thought it would be okay to say something,” Ethan answers.

  “Why are you here, Mena?” my father asks, his voice
laced with worry.

  After a quick glance over to Ethan, I say, “Dr. Fredericks found out about Ryker. He’s going to be Denounced tonight and I have to carry out his sentence?”

  “What? Will you still leave tonight, without him?”

  “I will leave tonight, but not without him.” I avoid looking directly at Ethan now. He must know. He must know that it’s Ryker I love and not him.

  “I’ll help you,” Ethan says much to my surprise. Recently, he is full of surprises—but this is a good surprise. I didn’t think it was possible.

  “This is a suicide mission, Mena. This can’t be undone. You will be surrounded by Exalted tonight.”

  “Regardless, as I said, I’m not leaving without him. But you and mother . . . and Val, you have to leave tonight as planned. A citizen named Jenna will be waiting in the truck in the garage. You have to get her out of here. That was her friend they killed the other day. She’ll be next if she stays. Please, father,” I beg.

  “We will do as you wish, but I will do what I can to help you as well. You are my life, Mena.”

  “No, father. I can do this. You too, Ethan. You don’t have to help, though I appreciate the offer.”

  “I owe you,” he mumbles.

  “You do owe me, but not with your life, Ethan.”

  “I will be there with you. I want to,” he states with finality.

  “Thank you.” I waver on whether or not to give my father a hug, but decide against it. I don’t know if someone is watching the watchtower. “I’ll see you both tonight,” I whisper as I descend the ladder.

  Once at the bottom, I wander aimlessly with nowhere to go. I can’t return to my new dorm, because I’m dressed like an Exalted, and I can’t go to my old room, because Val has a new roommate. Ryker is not in his apartment and neither is Lily. I glance over to the manicured lawns and bushes. It would probably be curious if I picked up some pruning shears and went to work. But the peaceful call of nature is strong.