An aggravated sigh escaped his lips.
Against his judgment, he’d trusted her. And she’d withheld information.
What would the community do? Where would they go?
It was entirely his fault. He should’ve left her there to die, like Candy and Woody had wanted.
Rein couldn’t, though. Ellyssa’s body had lain among the decaying rags, her breath ragged and uneven, her skin a sickly color, and the dirt-covered, sweaty hair clumped around her face. She seemed so frail, even after she’d attacked them in her feverish state.
Even then she’d been the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
What bothered Rein the most was that, if he had to do it all over again, he still would’ve saved her. No matter the evidence stacked against her, a deep, nagging sensation pulled at his heart, an unnatural draw he couldn’t shake.
It was irritating.
Better to think of her lying, conniving ways, squelching his attraction, or whatever it was.
Better not to think of her at all.
Rein flipped to his knees and grabbed the knapsack he used on short excursions. He rummaged around his little space, arranging things to take—an extra shirt, a box of ammunition, a flashlight, and a first aid kit.
He was shoving the items into his bag when he heard Jordan’s soft, shuffling footsteps. He’d heard them for so long, there was no mistaking the brush of the worn leather of the leader’s shoes against the rocky floor. Jordan stopped outside his drape and a wrinkled hand appeared at the edge of his tattered curtain.
“Rein,” said Jordan, his voice staggering breathlessly.
The way the old man’s age had seemed to sneak up on him within the last couple of months worried Rein. He’d tried to ask Jordan about it on several occasions, but the old man had always led the conversation away in different directions.
Rein pulled the curtain back and popped out, so his elder wouldn’t have to exert the energy to crawl into the hole. Jordan sighed with gratitude, his full lips stretching apart in relief. The old man’s face looked haggard and sunken.
“I’m just about ready to go.”
“Good. I believe Doc is waiting for you.”
Rein yanked his bag out and draped it over his shoulder. “We should be back in less than two days.” He paused for a moment, leaning closer to Jordan’s ear. “I’m really sorry for bringing her here. It was a mistake. I think it’s best if we remove her from the cave as soon as I return. I’ll blindfold her or something. Take her far away.”
“You didn’t make a mistake, son,” the old man replied, patting Rein’s upper arm. “I believe Jeremy sent her.”
Rein blinked. “What?”
“He must have seen inside her, like she can see inside us. Maybe he saw good.”
“You didn’t see her that day in town. She’s dangerous.”
Jordan’s gaze settled on Rein, life and amusement still dancing within the dark depths of his eyes, even as tiredness pulled the edges of his lids and sagged his cheeks. “I’ve seen her strength, her will. She’s a great addition to the family.”
Rein couldn’t believe it. “Her…special abilities put us all at risk. Even if her intentions are harmless, she is too valuable to them.”
Jordan cast a look over his shoulder before he whispered, “That might be true. And maybe they’ll find her.”
“Then we’re done.”
Jordan shrugged his frail shoulders. “With everything that had happened in the past. The war. Our struggle to survive. I never was sure if there was a higher power or not, delegating the randomness of life on delicate strings. But I believe—believe without a doubt—Jeremy sent her to us. Maybe, to let us know what was cooking in the labs of The Center, to give us a heads-up.
“There are very few things I know in this world, Rein. Very few. But I know a good person when I see them. And she is good. Jeremy saw it. And I think you see it, too.”
The older man staggered and Rein clutched his upper arm, holding him steady.
“Are you okay?”
Jordan patted the hand grasping his shoulder. “Fine, son. Just fine. Nothing a nap won’t take care of. Help me to my holey.”
Rein stepped to Jordan’s side and steadied him as they walked down the tunnel. Much to Rein’s relief, they passed no one on the trek. The last thing they needed was gossip and panic. When they reached Jordan’s holey, Rein helped him inside.
“You mind what I said, Rein,” said Jordan as he lay down. “I know you’re thinking she was dishonest. Take into consideration how her truth might have come out in bits and pieces, but she got around to it. How much have we shared with her? How can we expect something we haven’t freely given?”
The corner of Rein’s mouth drew back. “I’ll talk to her when I get back,” he said.
“That’s a good boy. Now go. Doc is waiting.” Jordan rolled to his side, ending any further conversation.
22
Detective Angela Petersen sneered at Micah through the filthy window of the drug store in Deepwater. He looked a little different since the last time she’d seen him, taller and broader. His perfectly cut platinum hair framed chiseled features that had sharpened into those of a man. Occasionally, his azure eyes would cut sideways at her, accusingly, as if her less-than-perfect intelligence was to blame for Ellyssa’s disappearance.
She hated him. After a month of having no contact with the little creatures, she’d almost forgotten how much she hated them all.
The detective stepped back when Micah squared off to her, letting Angela know he was watching. She would have to be very careful of everything she did, every call she made.
Certainly, Dr. Hirch had sent him to spy on her and report back all her failures. The whole operation the doctor had entrusted to her had turned into nothing more than a fiasco. Captain Jones hadn’t helped matters, either, with his constant distractions.
Micah cast Angela another look before shifting through the pile of rags with the toe of his shoe. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear the look was smug.
All The Center’s children felt they were so superior. Their egos towered over that of the doctor. For creatures supposedly lacking emotions, they had no problem showing arrogance.
Anglea lifted her foot. The handgun weighed against her ankle. What she wouldn’t give to shoot the condescending look right off his face, mess up his flawless features. That’d knock him down a peg or two.
Although unlikely, maybe she’d have a chance. If only she could get him alone. The cartridge could never be traced back to her. Renegades would be blamed.
Angela sighed. That’d never happen. And with Micah there, she’d never get a chance to even the score with Ellyssa. He would return home safe, and so would his sister. And she would return a failure.
“What’re you thinking about?”
Angela gave Dyllon a once-over. An anxious energy swirled around the young captain. His cream-colored hair was combed perfectly, except for a small piece that flipped out disobediently behind his ear. He wore civilian clothes, a green T-shirt which brought out his eyes, and faded jeans that formed nicely around his hips and legs.
He was standing too close.
Angela’s gaze darted through the cloudy glass and, sure enough, the boy watched them. Her lip curled as she looked away. The absolute last thing she needed was Micah to report that she was being chummy with the local police. The doctor wouldn’t understand how differently things worked here.
“Why are you dressed like that?” Angela asked.
Dyllon’s perpetual grin faltered a bit. “It’s my day off. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Angela snarled while she stepped away from the window, her strides long and quick.
Dyllon jogged to catch up with her. “Something’s wrong.”