Erin McDermott
Captive Rebel Excerpt
First published by Erin McDermott in 2018
Copyright © Erin McDermott, 2018
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Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter One
Whispers of Prince Ariston’s return spread throughout the palace like a virus. Held in rebel captivity for years, he was finally free to walk the halls of his palace and to plan vengeance against his rebel captors. Quiet shrills escaped the lips of residents. The people were eager for their prince’s return.
All except Ian Ramos, Charles Burket, and myself. We were none other than rebel spies, socially camouflaged within these Royal Allegiant walls ruled by King Deimos.
“We leave tomorrow,” Ian tapped his fingernail on the ceramic tabletop. His foreboding eyes gave me a cautious warning, “He’s returning.” He scratched a finger along his spiked brown hair.
I stretched my hand across the table and leaned toward Ian. My lips brushed against his ear. “My guess is that Prince Ariston knows who you are, doesn’t he?” I sat back, assured no one overheard me. We were sitting in the grand hall. It was overly crowded at this hour, filled with the deafening chatter of Royal Allegiants.
Chances were that no one could hear our conversation, but I could not take the risk. We had been undercover, living within these palace walls for several months. To lose all the intel we gained for our rebellion because of one simple question? Not a chance.
Ian gave a curt nod, “It seems our time is up.” He was a fierce rebel warrior who almost never expressed emotion. While I was distracted by the thought of Prince Ariston returning, it did not seem to phase Ian. He was one of our best rebel fighters, which was exactly why he was chosen for this mission.
Charles, on the other hand, was chosen because of his ability to create friendships. His flashing white smile was contagious. With his toned body and mesmerizing green eyes he easily made all the girls swoon. He even caught the attention of Princess Fanny, Ariston’s sister. It went without saying that he was doing very well as a spy. It suited him.
Then there was me. I was chosen because I was expendable.
Keeping my voice low, and my face leaned inward, I asked, “How does he know you? Will our cover actually be ruined when he returns next week?”
Ian looked around the bright hall before speaking again. “I was involved in his capture five years back. I worked near the dungeons he was held in until I was assigned this mission. He knows me.”
Assigned this mission. Of course he accepted the task of working within Allegiant walls. Even though we were assigned to be servants, the accommodations were pleasant, to say the least. Running water, electricity, and warm clothing were all available as an Allegiant. The caves we lived in back at the rebel base camp had none of those indulgences. Electricity was nothing other than a myth until I came here and saw it for myself.
My auburn hair was pinned in a tight bun, reminding me that even pins were a luxury for us. Over two hundred years ago, the rebels were forced to go into hiding and abandon their lives and the luxuries they once had. Now, coming across something as simple as a hair pin was nearly impossible.
My mother’s stories of the past haunt my memories. I will never forget her warnings to me about those who are allegiant to the gods.
“The Gods, Zeus and Poseidon, wanted to rid the dying earth of overpopulation.” Ma would tell me. “So they chose a few who promised to pray to them daily. They were named the Allegiant, for they were allegiant to the gods. With the help of the gods, the Allegiant were able to kill off the rest of the human population. Those who survived, by hiding deep in mountains across the globe, were protected by the god…”
“Hades!” Five year old me jumped in. “Hades helped us!”
With twinkling hazel eyes, she poked my nose and grinned. “Yes. Hades helped those who hid from and survived Poseidon and Zeus’ wrath. He keeps us protected in the mountains. Over time, those who hid in the mountains began to band together and create a rebellion.
Now remember to always pray to Hades, dear. Without the power of our prayers, he will lose his power and fall into a deep sleep. We need him to remain powerful so he can continue to protect us. One day, Marylyn, we will take our world back. The world that has been taken from us long ago.”
“We will help everyone like Mikey does!” I clapped, knowing my older brother was a rebel warrior.
She chuckled and nodded.
We didn’t know the pain Mike would one day bring upon our family.
Removing my mind from the past, I decided it was about time we left. “I think we have enough information. We can have Jarvis prepare his boat for us,” I said, mentioning the rebel captain who brought us to the island, King’s Land, several months back. “Then we can safely return to the rebel camp.” And hopefully return to my family. I had been separated from them for so many years. I believed once I left this place, I would be given the chance to see them again.
Hades, please, let me finally see my parents again. I missed the delicate voice of Ma, and the strong arms of my father, both protecting me from all the world’s dangers.
I took a moment to look around the bustling hall. The lavish decor, the chandeliers dangling from high ceilings, and the beautiful outfits worn by both men and women would soon be only a memory. I was quite alright with it being just that. A memory.
Of course I would refrain from admitting it to Ian, but Prince Ariston’s return was a blessing in disguise. Every day I feared for my life within these walls. Every person I spoke to, I lied to. I lived every day in the life of an imaginary person to spare my true identity of a rebel spy. Ian Ramos, Charles Burket, and I risked being exposed every day.
If we were exposed, there would be nowhere to run. This palace was built on the end of an island occupied by only Allegiants. We were outcasts surrounded by our enemies. If anyone knew our secrets, we would never escape.
“Ian, do you think my family will finally be freed after this mission is complete? I know it was cut short, but I feel we’ve gathered enough information to have the rebel leaders free my parents.” Ian’s eyes were solemn. It was no secret I was actively involved as a rebel warrior to keep my parents safe. When my brother betrayed the rebels, my family and I were punished. It was supposed to be a lesson to others. ‘Do Not Screw With Us’. It worked. I suffered for it.
He shrugged, “I’m not sure. Hopefully they’ll consider your debt paid. This was a difficult mission. We know the entire layout of this palace, anyway.”
“It’s only one royal palace of many spread throughout the globe, Ian.” I reminded him. The Allegiant had taken control over most of the livable world. We targeted this palace because it was the closest to our rebel base.
“But this is the royal palace they wanted. It’ll be fine when we return. You’ll see your family in no time.” With that Ian stood and instructed, “I’ll find Charles. Pack your things. Tell no one we plan on leaving. By no one, I mean your little friend Alice,” he coldly warned, mentioning the girl I shared a room with. We both worked in the kitchen and had become very fond of one another. Regardless of the bond we had forged she only knew the person I had created. She did not understand who I was beneath the lies. She believed I was a
faithful Allegiant. I was far from that.
“I’ll get in contact with our captain tomorrow.” Ian said.
I brought a firm hand to my head and saluted him, “Ay ay, captain. Whatever you say.”
He rolled his forbidding black eyes and walked away.
“Marylyn O’Conner,” I heard Fanny’s husky voice from behind me. Turning in my cotton covered chair, I looked her way. A smug smile was plastered along her porcelain face. “Have you heard the news?” she breathed, already knowing the answer. Her sense of entitlement, being the King’s daughter, was overpowering.
I gave a fake smile. I was never a fan of her, her lush red hair, her beautiful clothes, or her perfect figure. Perhaps I was a bit envious, could you blame me?
“Oh yes. I’m so excited your brother is returning!” No, I was not thrilled about his return in the slightest. “He should arrive by next week, correct?”
“Sooner.” She winked, shooting me a devious smile.
Masking my panic, I managed to feign indifference and asked, “Oh, how soon?” Hopefully my question appeared relaxed enough.
A dark haze shadowed her emerald eyes. She grinned, but her smile sent shivers down my spine. Her grin never reached her eyes. I knew that grin all too well, because it was the exact one I had been giving to everyone the last several months. My smiles, the ones that never reached my eyes, were fabricated to match the lie I lived .
Seeing a mirror of my own face in hers terrified me. Tonight, I feared Fanny knew something I did not.“Soon, I promise.” Her sinister smile remained unwavering as she turned and glided away.
In that moment I knew Ian, Charles, and I were in trouble.
Chapter Two
Several hours later I anxiously paced about my room. Alice, my slim blonde roommate, stared at me with worrisome eyes. “Oh dear, is there anything I can do to help your troubles tonight?” She asked as she unpinned her thin hair and untied her apron. Sleek strands of blonde tumbled over her chest.
“Just apprehensive.” I explained, staring into the ornate mirror ahead of me. My wavy auburn hair was in disarray. My chocolate eyes truly looked wild.
No wonder Alice was worried for me. My fear radiated throughout this small room, only large enough to squeeze in two beds.
A horrible feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. I feared I would never return home to my parents. I was so close, but this Allegiant Prince was about to rip my future from me. I could not allow him to succeed. I needed to make moves, and I needed to make them soon.
I walked to our shared window. It overlooked a courtyard drowning in flowers. On the grounds below there appeared to be more guards than usual situated around the twisted grapevines. I was sure of it. “Or is it just nerves, Marylyn?” I touched a pale hand to my frantic heart. What was I to do?
“If you’re in need of help, I could pass a message along to my fiancé, Manny. He works in the stables with both Charles and Ian after all. He could pass any message to your friends, if you need to tell them something. Something urgent, perhaps?” She spoke as if she understood what I was going through. That alarmed me.
“What could I possibly need help for?” I fibbed.
She continued on, ignoring my blatant lie. “And he would be pleased to help. He enjoys the company of those two. Now please, move away from that window before anyone becomes more suspicious.” She knowingly warned.
I raised an eyebrow, “More suspicious of what?”
She fluffed her skirt as she sat on her bed. “I overheard people talking. Oh, they know there are spies. Prince Ariston passed along a message this afternoon indicating so. Who it may be remains a mystery to most, but it is best if you leave before that mystery is solved.” She took a brush to her thin hair, acting entirely too unconcerned about the situation that she surprisingly knew all about. I wondered when she ever considered letting me know she knew I was a rebel spy.
I hadn’t a clue people were already talking about rebel spies. …It is best if you leave before that mystery is solved. Alice had said.
My stomach churned and I suddenly felt faint.“Don’t fret. No one knows.” She attempted to assure me. Little did she realize, I was alarmed that even she knew.
But Alice was not the only one who saw beneath my Allegiant disguise.
“Fanny sure as hell knows.” I muttered.
“That little witch.” Alice huffed, shaking her head.
I nodded in agreement, but could not keep from asking, “How in the gods do you know?”
She placed a brush on our only dresser and tossed back her hair. “I know you, silly!” Her explanation told me nothing. “Please, you look faint. Have a seat.” She walked over to me, gently pressing against my shoulders. I sat back on my bed in response, noticing how unforgivably weak my legs were. Giving a soft, reassuring smile, she proceeded to the window and shut the curtains. “You will need a change of clothes. May the gods help you if you decide to go running about in that gown. My suggestion is that you do not leave until sunlight, it will be less suspicious to wander the courtyard in the sun.”
Clearly, she knew I was a spy. How she knew was a completely different conversation-one she was clearly not interested in having. Whether she disclosed that information or not, it was apparent she was set on helping me.
I would not allow myself to put an innocent girl, who was about to be married, in danger. “Alice, you should have no part in this. You have Manny to think about,” I reminded her. Though I admired her kindness, she was a true Allegiant, faithful to her gods and her rulers. I could not imagine how someone who obeyed rules to the degree she did could keep such a forbidden secret.
Taking a seat on the bed next to me she explained, “I was born to a family of farmers, living on the outskirts of the gods’ Allegiant land. We had little contact with rebels, if any. The Allegiant built a temple, dedicated to Zeus, on our farmlands. We prayed to Zeus daily. If only the goddess of the harvest, Demeter, was awake. She may have helped our poor harvests. Unfortunately, she has been sleeping for centuries due to lack of prayer.
When food was scarce we relied on the nearby rebels for trade and help, rather than the Allegiant. The Allegiant only aided us by building an over sized temple, dedicated to a god who knew little about the soils of our earth. I could continue explaining my life story, but that would be silly,” She gave a soft smile, “While I am beyond lucky to be working in such a beautiful place, I’ve only taken this position out of a necessity to survive. I can send over money to my family to keep them from starving. These people are by no means my friends. But you, dear, I consider a friend. Please, allow me to help.”
Her words were encouraging. I nearly agreed to have her help me, but I knew she could not sacrifice her life to do so. She was so close to marriage and a happily-ever-after. She had a life ahead of her: a home, a family, an actual bed of her own to sleep in. She had no idea how lucky she had it. I would not ruin that for her.“You have no idea the life you’re risking. No, I won’t let you.”
Alice looked at me with pleading eyes, “But I can help you. I want to.”
“Well, I don’t want you to. All you could possibly do is walk to the male quarter’s to get Charles’ or Ian’s attention for me. To warn them that people know about us. Someone else’s attention may be caught. If you’re caught helping me you will have no other option but to escape as well. Then you will have to live in a rebel base camp with me-Away from Manny. Imagine how difficult my life is over there. Electricity? We don’t even have that! No, I won’t allow it.” I was firm in my decision.
She stared at me imploringly. Unwavering determination consumed her face.
I knew I could not have her sacrifice everything to help me. However, I could have her believe she was assisting me. After contemplating for several moments I sighed and said, “In the morning, during daylight, I’ll make my escape. You can search for Charles and Ian tomorrow morning. That would be a great help.” A grin spread across her thin face so wide it nearly swallowed her cheeks.
“Get some sleep, we’re going to have a long day.” I instructed.
She nodded and walked to her bed. “I promise I will not tell a soul.”
I knew she would keep my secret to herself. I was thankful to have her as a roommate. She would do anything for me, even if it had her killed.
Which was exactly why I had to leave that very night.
Chapter Three
I mentally prepared myself to silently slip out of the room while Alice was sleeping. My original plan was to change out of my knee length, black cotton servant’s dress. It seemed entirely too difficult to run about while escaping in a dress. Unfortunately, finding a more suitable outfit would require me to search through our drawers. I knew that would create too much noise. Waking Alice was not part of my agenda. Escaping in a servant gown would just have to do.
Before leaving I reached for the necklace on our dresser. The one my mother had given me. I recalled her referring to it as a Statue of Liberty necklace. Apparently, it had something to do with a time before the wars killed off billions. The necklace was a gentle reminder that my family was still out there, waiting for me to set them free. I missed them terribly and knew I couldn’t leave without it. The green lady would always remain close to my heart.
I left the room quietly, easing the oak door shut behind me. Then I made my trek through the halls. The women’s servant quarter was eerily quiet. I heard nothing other than the clicking of my feet, echoing throughout. Each step I took sounded louder than the next. It was not until I reached the open lounge, separating the women and men’s quarters, that the trickling of a water fountain drowned out the sound of my feet.
I walked over to the fountain and stared at its statue. It was a statue of Poseidon surrounded by running water. He stood tall and confident, holding an over-sized trident in his right hand. “Thanks for not choosing my people to live.” I spitefully hissed at him.
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