‘You have such a strong jaw,’ she whispered as her eyes became hooded.
The steam of the water rose up and swirled around us. I found myself wading towards her. Something pulled me, but I couldn’t work out what it was. ‘And you have an amazing body.’
The words escaped as I remembered the image of her standing in front of me naked.
‘So do you,’ she whispered as I got nearer.
Our gazes locked and that pull made me come right up to her. I was mostly submerged in the water and glad that I was. Her legs extended and I walked straight into the middle of them and bumped against the edge of the rock wall. She lent down to me, her gaze still on mine. I was about to grab the back of her head and kiss her hard when she trailed her tongue over my bottom lip. I felt myself shudder as my eyes closed. Her lips teased mine as I tried to kiss her properly. Eventually she gave in and I grabbed her long hair and pulled her closer. Her legs wrapped around my back and I moaned. Pulling away slightly I looked into her eyes.
‘It’s funny. I’ve not been attracted to you.’
She pushed me away and I gasped at the cool air. She jumped up as laughter broke out of her. She spun away, causing water to flick from the bottom of her dress.
‘Wait, Alia, I didn’t mean it like that,’ I called as she turned to me from the entrance of the cave.
‘Don’t worry, Purple, I know what you mean,’ she said, before turning and walking away. I swore and ducked back under the water.
Noland was right, I was rubbish at love.
Episode Five
Chapter Fifteen
‘Purple,’ Leon said, ‘a messenger just delivered two letters for you.’
I took the folded papers from him. ‘Did you read it?’
Leon smiled and then gestured for me to follow him. We walked away from my tent.
‘What is the list of names?’ he asked.
‘Members of the jury,’ I said, looking around as we exited the camp.
‘So Jason made good on his promise?’
Leon had made me tell him everything that had happened while I’d been in the compound. He’d listened carefully, nodding here and there, but hadn’t given anything away. As we walked I noticed that we were heading into desert land. The mountain was behind us and the hot sun caressed the ridges on my bare arms.
‘Read the other letter,’ Leon said, stopping and turning to me.
I opened the letters and saw the note from Artie. It was a plea to let him know that Hope and I were here of our own accord and that we were safe. My chest tightened as I read it. We’d not even had the decency to communicate him.
‘What do you plan to do with the names?’ Leon asked.
‘I’m going back to Artie to research them with him,’ I said, squinting as I looked up at the sky. In the olden days there would have been vultures circling above us, hoping for some food. These days there was nothing left.
‘Noland said we should kidnap them and bring them here.’
I frowned but Leon just laughed and shook his head. ‘Don’t worry. He’s just feeling a little frustrated at the moment. He doesn’t usually struggle with women, but Hope is giving him a bit of a hard time.’
I laughed with him. I’d have been blind not to notice the lingering looks between the two of them, but Hope had kept quiet when I’d asked her about her love life. My best friend was obviously torn between the raw attraction of Noland and who she believed to be her soulmate.
‘Speaking of love, well sort of, I can’t see that Noland is capable of loving. I wanted to talk about Sandor.’
All of a sudden it became clear why we were standing in the middle of nowhere. Leon’s light eyes were almost yellow. He was a lot shorter than me, but his presence was strong. He looked at the ground and I could see Leon the man. Leon the leader had been pushed away for the moment. When he glanced up at me, I nodded for him to go on.
‘You sent her away with Hunter but we had to run him off. He was no good for us. He threatened to tell the Perfect government where we were if we didn’t pander to his needs. Sandor was left behind when he left, so we took her in. She immediately opened up and told me everything she’d been though. She even told me about the way she was getting her revenge. I persuaded her that it didn’t have to be that way. I explained our mission and she was accepted into the fold as one of our own. She was my…’ His sentence trailed off as his body shook. He’d been staring at the dirty ground the whole time. I placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.
‘She told me that you didn’t know what she’d done. She truly is okay, you know. She understands that this needs to be done.’ I waved the letters in the air.
‘She wouldn’t want us to be talking about it, that’s all. Did she ask about me?’ He ran a hand over his short hair, shaking my hand off.
‘Yes, she did. She spoke of you often. She told me that you’d saved her life and she loved you for it.’
‘Then we can use us as the love story,’ he growled. ‘It sounds so pathetic in the whole scheme of things.’
I laughed as Leon stamped the ground.
‘Agreed, but I’ve been thinking about it since William announced…er…I mean, since they said that we would need a strong case and if we looked back at everything that’s happened in the world, it’s either been because of love or fear. Look at us,’ I said, gesturing towards the mountain, ‘we’re here because of people we love and care about.’
Leon was still frowning at me.
‘You’re getting a bit passionate aren’t you? Considering you’ve never been in love.’
‘No, well, like I said, women are hard work. I’m much better off on my own.’ I lowered myself to the ground. The conversation was getting a little deep for me and I was trying not to picture Alia sitting on the side of the pool.
‘That is where you’re wrong, son,’ he said quietly.
I glanced up at him and he was looking down at the top of my head. I grabbed my hair and put a band around it. The sun was warming my back and my neck had started to bead with sweat. Tying my hair up helped to keep me cool. Leon sat next to me and lay back on the ground. I did the same.
‘Women make the world go round. They birth men, Purple. We may be great warriors with intellect and brawn, but they’re all knowing. Their intuition can keep us out of danger far better than our brutish ways. They nurture and grow life. They bring out the best in us. Why else would we be so protective? Because we have the natural instinct to tune into our women and children and protect the power in them.’
I glanced at Leon and noticed a tear slide down his cheek. I looked away, stunned by his show of vulnerability. I’d never seen him so open and honest. And it was all about women. I’d so often dismissed women as weak and incapable, but the way Leon was describing the feminine energy, I realised that he was right. Layla, Alia and Hope popped into my mind and I saw the power in each one of them. They were all so different, yet our world would not be spinning if it weren’t for them.
‘You see, Purple, there is nothing more rewarding to a man than when a woman gives him her heart. They trust us and give us the space to become our best self. Their energy is refreshing and strong and they give it to you freely. It never runs out. They accept us into their body, mind and soul. It is not something we are capable of. We should cherish any woman that we feel that connection with. Scorning it could ruin it forever.’
Leon stood but I couldn’t make myself get up.
‘When will you go to Artie?’ he asked.
‘Tomorrow,’ I replied, not looking at him.
I heard his footsteps stride away but kept my eyes on the light blue sky. It was endless with nothing to look at but colour. The sun was like a woman’s caress as it blazed on my skin. I thought of Alia and my chest tightened. She was someone that I hadn’t thought of in that way. Yes, I’d noticed she was attractive and seemed like a great person, but I’d thought Layla was more my type. Then the more I got to know Alia, the stronger the pull became. I’d never pictured
myself with her. Then again, I’d never really pictured myself with any woman. But what Leon said, stayed in my head. He was a man in love and it seemed to give him power.
Could I ever be that man in love?
Chapter Sixteen
Dawn broke as my wings carried us over the desert with my arms wrapped around her waist. She was lighter than I thought she would be. Her arms were spread wide as her hair flew back from her face.
‘This is amazing,’ Alia cried.
I’d been a little surprised when Leon had insisted that Alia came to Artie’s with me, instead of Hope. He said it was because she’d not been to the Lower Side for many years. Noland had been furious, not wanting me near his sister, but Leon would not listen to him.
As we got closer to the city, the quiet streets were even more dangerous than the busy daytime. The criminal Avoidables would come out at night, trying to find food and clothes to steal.
‘Thank you,’ Alia said when I let her down on the ground just outside the theatre.
I nodded and did the secret knock on the big wooden doors. I’d not been sure what to say that morning when we’d met at the entrance to the camp. It was the first time I’d seen her since our kiss. She’d acted as if nothing had happened
‘It’s exciting to be back here. It’s been so long,’ she said. I felt her breath on my back and realised she was standing right behind me. My hair was pulled up in a ponytail and my dark clothes covered my body. I was in business mode, but the feel of her breath on my back made me shudder. I was planning on playing the cool warrior man, but the way she was smiling at me with a spark in her eye broke my resolve.
‘How long has it been?’ I asked as I heard footsteps approaching the door on the inside.
‘Five years. Noland hasn’t allowed me to come back in case I escape and stay here. He always comes here though.’
A click on the other side of the door brought my attention back to the reason we were here. Artie or one of his colleagues was checking to see who it was before they let us in.
‘Yes, that’s how Hope met him,’ I replied. The door was pulled open and I took hold of Alia’s hand and guided us into the theatre.
‘It’s good to see you, Purple, who’s this?’ Artie asked as he closed the door and locked it.
‘This is Alia,’ I replied, unaware that I still held her hand until she took it away to shake Artie’s.
‘Noland’s sister?’ he asked.
We followed him to the inner depths of the theatre. ‘Yes, we’re here because we need your help. I have a list of the Perfect jury.’
Artie gestured for us to sit on chairs in the centre of the stage. ‘Yes, Jason keeps me updated. Unlike some.’ Artie’s raised his eyebrows at me.
I had to laugh. It wasn’t long until he joined in with me.
‘I’m sorry, Artie, I really am,’ I stood and started to pace.
‘It’s annoying when you do that,’ Alia said.
‘I agree, sit down,’ Artie ordered.
I froze and glanced at them both.
‘What is this? Gang up on Purple time?’
They both laughed and I sat back down. I tried not to huff but it escaped before I could stop it. It just made them laugh more.
‘I heard about your fire, congratulations,’ Artie said, crossing his legs.
‘Thanks, Deep isn’t very happy. He’s been practicing but isn’t as good as me yet.’ I sat up straight.
‘He’s got such a big head,’ Alia said. ‘Shall we talk about the jury?’
Artie looked at me and then at her. He seemed to make up his mind about something because he nodded and then stood.
‘Hold on,’ he said, leaving us alone.
‘I haven’t got a big head.’
‘Yes, you have!’ she laughed.
‘I’m sorry about saying that in the bathing cave,’ I blurted. I didn’t realise I was going to bring it up. She glanced at me sideways from hooded eyes and the memory of it rocked me back in my seat.
‘It’s okay, I’ve forgotten it,’ she whispered.
‘Forgotten the kiss?’ I whispered back, trying to get her to meet my gaze when she looked away.
‘No…’ she laughed, looking around the theatre.
I took her chin and pulled her to face me. ‘That’s okay then, otherwise I might have to remind you.’
I had no idea what I was doing. When I wasn’t around her I didn’t think about love or being with anyone, but when I was with her, I was getting more and more urges to touch her and let her see me.
Artie’s footsteps made me take my hand away, but not before I saw the reflection of heat in her eyes.
‘Here’s the list,’ Artie said as he came back to us. He waved the paper in the air. In his other hand he held another stack of papers. ‘And here’s their information.’
I grinned at my boss. He was still my hero.
‘What can I say, Purple? Always a step ahead of the rebels,’ he laughed at Alia’s cough. I couldn’t help it. I started to laugh too. Alia hit my arm and went to stand up. I grabbed her arm and pulled her onto my lap. She gasped and pushed away from me.
‘Okay, love birds, let’s get down to business,’ Artie said, handing me the paper.
Alia smiled and sat back down, snatching the sheets out of my hand.
‘So Deep is alive?’ Artie said.
I’d completely forgotten to tell my boss about my brother. ‘Yes, he’s been with the rebels ever since he left.’
‘I’m glad, Purple, can I let your father know? He’s worried about you, you know.’ Artie took his glasses off and frowned at me. I glanced at Alia. She was looked at Artie’s scar. When she was caught looking, she quickly went back to the paperwork.
‘Yes, let him know,’ I replied. With everything that had been going on, my father hadn’t even entered my mind.
‘I’d love to have a father still,’ Alia said. She was watching me closely and I could feel her reading my aura.
‘Just read the papers,’ I snapped.
I saw Artie wince, but Alia didn’t take her gaze away from me.
‘Grow up,’ she said, looking directly into my eyes when my gaze flew to hers.
I laughed. She laughed. And then Artie joined in.
‘Sorry,’ I said, taking her hand and kissing the smooth skin of her knuckles. She snatched it away and buried her head in reading again.
‘It looks like things have really changed since you’ve been gone,’ Artie said, rising from his seat and gesturing for me to follow him. I smiled at Alia and followed him to the back of the stage.
‘Are you going to give me a report or are you no longer working for me?’ Artie said quietly.
‘Of course I’m working for you, but I’m also a part of them too now. We both are.’
‘Hope…?’
I nodded and saw Artie take a deep breath.
‘You believe that they’re trustworthy? They blew up the compound.’
‘Yes, I know, but it was to speed things up. Be careful to keep your emotions in check, Alia reads auras.’
I glanced back at Alia. She was still reading. Her long hair fell forward as she concentrated on the writing in front of her. Artie nodded.
‘Well, they did speed things up but only if you pull this off. What’s the plan?’
I looked into his eyes. His straggly blonde hair never changed. He often had one plait nesting in amongst the other thin strands. It fell to just above his shoulders.
‘You’re not going to like it, but it was William’s idea.’
Artie nodded for me to go on.
‘Sandor is going to plead not guilty and say that she did it for love.’
‘She’s going to say that she bombed the compound for love?’ Artie snorted, raising his voice.
Alia looked over at us. ‘Have you never done something rash for love, Artie?’ Alia said.
Artie’s eyes narrowed. ‘Oh yes, I’ve done something rash for love. The bombing was not rash however. Do you really think the Pe
rfects are going to fall for a load of lies when all you wanted was to get their attention?’
‘They won’t be lies. Sandor did what she did for love. It was for the love of Avoidables and if you can’t see that, then we need to leave.’ Alia stood and looked at me. I stood my ground and crossed my arms, glancing between the two of them.
‘Purple?’ she said when I didn’t move or respond.
I looked at Artie and he smiled.
She’s got you under the thumb, boy.
His thought made me bristle. I shuffled from one foot to the other then stopped when Alia coughed.
‘Artie is my boss, Alia, he knows more about the Perfects than anyone I know, including Leon.’
Alia raised her eyebrows, glanced at Artie and then sat back down to read the papers again. I smiled as Artie shook his head and laughed.
‘So you’re relying on Sandor to come up with a fairy tale to impress the jury?’
‘We’re going to study the jury to see who they are and what makes them tick. Then we’re going to get a message to Sandor to…’
Artie put up his hand. I closed my mouth and gestured for him to speak.
‘You’re going about it the wrong way,’ he said. ‘You need to see if any of them are…you know,’ he whispered.
I nodded once, glancing at Alia. She was frowning. ‘Someone’s coming,’ she said, going still.
The thumping on the door confirmed her statement. ‘Guards! Let us in!’ came a shout from the front of the building.
‘That’s John,’ Artie said.
‘How did he know we were here?’ I muttered.
‘They might not know you’re here, but you still need to leave.’ Artie said. Alia came over to us.
‘How did you know?’ I whispered as we followed Artie to the back entrance of the theatre.
‘It’s part of my gift,’ she whispered back.
I took her hand and squeezed. She glanced at me with those hooded eyes and I had to swallow.
‘Nope, you can’t go out there,’ Artie said, doubling back.
‘Yes, they’re out there too.’ Alia pulled me back.
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