Rebel Grey

by Stella Drexler

  ***

  Petra heard voices from inside Key's room, but they weren't coming from the members of the compound's inner circle. She knocked gently on the glass door. "Yeah, come in." Key was watching the news from a thick, plush armchair. The voices she heard came from the large flat screen television mounted on the wall. He turned to her when she paused beside him. "Hey."

  "Hey." She perched on the chair beside him.

  "I thought you were trying to help the prince remember what happened to him."

  "Yeah. We hit a little snag."

  Key frowned. "What do you mean a snag?"

  "I think a lot of bad things have happened to him. He needed some time alone." She didn't mention what he'd said. Key was her closest friend, but she felt responsible for Grey. She didn't think he would appreciate her spilling his secrets, even if he did trust Key right now.

  "What about the night of the attack? Anything?"

  "Yeah. A bit. Actually, I think he remembers most of it, but it doesn't help us much."

  "Why?"

  "He doesn't think he knows the person who attacked him."

  Key sighed. "Do you think it might have been a hit man?"

  "Yes. Probably. It was someone he's never seen."

  "So it could be anyone who ordered it. Or just some vigilante who recognized him and wanted to take revenge on him or the king."

  "It could be. That's not exactly a good thing, but sadly it's best case scenario." She frowned. "Do you really think it's a good idea for him to remember?"

  "No, not really. Not at all. But it's not safe to have him here. We're in too deep now. We have to go through with it or let him go."

  "We can't just let him go." All of a sudden, she wished they could.

  "I know. So now we have to make it work. If he remembers, at least we'll know what we're dealing with. We can plan accordingly."

  "Have you heard from Lux?"

  "No. She hasn't reported back. I'm not sure what she's doing. She hasn't answered her cell phone."

  Petra pressed her hand to her forehead. "We have to get him somewhere safe."

  Key frowned. His expression was so serious, her stomach flipped a little. "Do you like him, Petra?"

  She opened and closed her mouth. Then she scoffed. "What? No. That's just stupid. That's got nothing to do with anything."

  He didn't look as though he believed her, but he didn't push it.

  She frowned. "It just isn't safe for the rest of us to have him here. Maybe the others are right. I shouldn't have brought him here. I should have taken him somewhere else as soon as I found him. I should have thought of protecting the others."

  He sighed. "You acted rashly, Petra, but you acted that way because you thought it would help Ren. I see that. He's my best friend. I would have done the same. I think. Even though it's the stupidest thing you've ever done and would be doubly stupid for me because I don't do nearly as many stupid things as you."

  She snorted. "So, is there anything about him on the news yet?"

  "No. The King hasn't publicized his disappearance. Either he hasn't figured out he's missing yet, or he doesn't want to let anyone to know there's a chink in his armor. But there are patrols out in the city. More than usual. And they aren't doing their usual thing. They are probably looking for him."

  "Are the bounty hunters on it yet?"

  "I don't know for sure, but yeah. Probably."

  Petra sighed. "I think we're in over our heads."

  "Yeah. We are."

  "I can't stay here."

  He blinked in surprised. "What? You're supposed to be watching Dante."

  "I know, but...he needs some time right now. I can't stand just waiting for all this to blow up."

  "What do you think you're going to do?"

  "I want to go out into the city. See what I can hear." She glanced at him. "Want to go?"

  He frowned. "That's not very responsible."

  She laughed. "Neither was bringing him here in the first place. Maybe we can reach Lux and check out the safe house before we bring him there."

  Key sighed. He looked as though he wanted to argue, but he seemed to realize there wasn't much point. He flicked his fingers at her in dismissal. "Fine. Go on, then. You're always better at drudging up information than I am. I'll...make sure the prince is comfortable." He paused and glanced at her. "What do you want me to tell him if he asks me where you are?"

  "Just tell him I'm...trying to find out who hurt him and why. It's almost the truth."

  He chuckled wryly. "And the only true thing you've told him so far."

  She turned back at the door. "Not the only true thing."