Escape from Harrizel (25 page)

My heart stops, my body frozen.

He means
me
.

Tremors shoot from my abdomen to my heart
and back again, every hair on my body standing. I have to do this?
Now
?

Able leans over, subtly whispering out of
the corner of his mouth. “Time to shine, sweetheart. Remember,
make
them listen to you.”

Reid waves me closer, his eyes burning into
mine. Can I do this? With his reassuring nod, I believe I can. It’s
the others that unnerve me. The others that look for fault,
scanning me with a reproaching tone. It’s their scrutinizing eyes,
waiting for an answer I wasn’t prepared to give.

Gulping, I exchange places with Reid. Slowly
strolling about the space, I get the full view of my unenthused
audience. I push the pounding of my heart down to the pit of my
stomach, with all the other fear, where it can wait until I’m
finished.

“Tough group of guys…” I clear my throat,
shrugging as if talking to myself. “I bet your Scouts never let you
down. Bet there’s never been an assignment they haven’t completed
for you. Yet. You’ve asked them to deliver a message that we have
something of Delan’s. Right now, they’re trying their best not to
fail you,” I pause in the center of the small clearing. “They
will
. This,” I retrieve the clip from Pratt, holding it up
so they can all see, “is hers. This is what you’ve sent them for.
But each one will come back to you saying the same thing—she
doesn’t exist. Before tonight, it would’ve been an easy assignment,
“but after ingesting the pill, it’ll be the first one they can’t
complete. They won’t be able to. For them, for
anyone
that
took the pill, she’s no longer real,” I pause so they understand
what I’m telling them. “She doesn’t exist.”

“
Sure
,” one of the Assignments
says.

“So quick to doubt, Werzo?” Able laughs in
my defense. “Guess that sounds about right, though.”

“And if they succeed?” Kelly replies dully.
The question’s directed at Able but I’m still here, still leading
this.

“They won’t. Just
wait
,” I demand
attention again, locking eyes with the Rogue Commander. “When we go
back to the Castle, get a status report. It should be simple enough
to find one person, especially if
thirty
people are looking
for her.”

“Meaning what exactly?” Werzo steps closer,
“You’ve sent us asking after one girl. Why?”

“She was called on one of the lists. And
she’s not coming back. The pill is erasing everyone’s memories of
the people called on the lists. But don’t listen to me,” I place my
palms up defensively. “You trust your Scouts—let
them
prove
it to you.”

They all exchange glances at one another.
I’m not sure if I should keep going but then Reid starts for the
circle’s center again.

“But why erase them?” he tosses out as we
exchange places, “They need more of us. No doubt Grisham knows why,
Mantis,
possibly
, but we’re at a disadvantage. They know
why
, they know
who
, when and where. It’s our goal, as
it’s
always
been, to possess the same information,” he
slows, holding each Clansmen accountable, “and it’s more important
now than ever, that we do. Once your Scouts confirm what
we
,” Reid glances to me, “already know, alert them to the
pill’s designed use. Once they’re on board, have them instruct
their Clients as well.”

“And on and on?” Tucker nods.

“No,” I say. “It’ll create a panic.”

“They need to know,” he glances to Reid for
support.

“It’ll create a panic,” I repeat before Reid
objects. “In fact, that’s the
last
thing you want to
do.”

“Well what do you suggest?” Tucker scoffs,
not used to being challenged in front of his Rogues. The room
shifts its focus to me, waiting.

“Not a panic. With panic comes chaos—a
divided front against the enemy will kill us. Or worse.”

“There’s worse?” Clark grimaces.

“It could
always
be worse. They could
torture us.
Really
torture us. You think we’re living badly
now? This is
luxury
compared to what they could be doing.
Think about it. If there’s no memory of Earth’s war, then there’s
no proof it happened. And if it didn’t happen… then why are we
here?” It’s a question we’ve all pondered and as I look around,
it’s obvious no one’s come close to answering it yet. “The longer
we don’t know, the more of us will die.”

“So what are you saying?”

“Don’t go spilling the beans. That will
create chaos and that’s the last thing you want.”

Reid bites the tip of his thumb, still
thinking. “All right,” he finally nods to himself, settling the
matter. “Let’s keep it to the Clients and Scouts for now. We’ll
tell the others when we have more information. Now,” he goes on,
pacing again, “I’ve also heard concern about Jeb and the others
asking after the food. What have you been saying?”

“That we don’t pay them with food,” Tucker
replies, “and if we do, only what we can steal from the Kings.”

“Do they suspect Jothkore?”

“Not that I’m aware.”

“And how have the deliveries been?” he turns
to Able. “Smooth?”

“Not an issue, Boss,” Able says besides me,
“except, Jothkore’s been later than usual. He needs more time with
the product demand growing.”

Reid nods, pulling at his chin, “It can’t
all rest on Jothkore,” he glances to Sampson, “we’ll need extra
hands out here at night. Fallon’s already volunteered but I’ll need
a good amount more.”

“I can help, Rox,” a few call out. “I’ll do
it.”

Reid whispers something to Tucker before
returning focus to his Rogues. “Get with your RC and he’ll speak
with Rogue Leader. Now,” he starts circling again, “as for the
questions from Jeb. They’ll leave you alone…” he smirks with a
playful shrug, “if you’re feeling… amorous.”

“Anyone needing a little help,” Jace offers
around the room, “just come watch the master at work.”

“Right, Commander,” one of his own Rogues
laughs, one of the quiet ones in the back, “no one wants to see you
sucking face with
every
Arrival.”

“Not every,” Jace clarifies, turning to Able
with a wink. “Only the lucky ones.”

“If they think you’re busy trying to
‘rebuild our species,’ they’ll leave you alone,” Reid cuts through
the chatter, commanding focus of the group.

“Didn’t know it was that easy,” Harrison
chuckles. “Could’ve been using that excuse this whole time.”

“Okay, well,” Chief finally speaks up,
clearing the room with the echo of his thick, husky voice, “these
lists—how can we prevent them?”

Reid looks to Sampson, then back to him. “We
can’t.”

“What happens if we’re called?” someone
asks.

“They seem to be calling more females than
males,” I offer, everyone’s focus shifting heavily on me again.
“
More
than half. Seems guys are relatively safe.”

“Why do they need girls?” someone else
asks.

“They want us to mess with them and then
they take them. That doesn’t seem fair,” Werzo jokes, “…or does
it?” his laughter finds no company as it echoes in the trunk.

“Can you even
get
a girl?” I raise a
brow.

“Please…” he smiles, folding his arms with
pride. “They fall into my arms.”

“Only when pushed.”

“Down kitty.”

“Don’t call her kitty,” Reid shakes his
head.

Everything goes silent again, especially as
Werzo’s face grows white. He lowers his eyes, then his head,
keeping his voice soft and unchallenging.“Yes Rox. Sorry Rox.”

“It’s not funny,” Reid says to the group,
“and they
have
been calling males. Just not as many.”

“So it might not have to do with gender?”
someone asks.

“Might not,” I agree, “but let’s keep an eye
on it. Has anyone kept a record of the names called so far?”

Everyone looks to each other as I turn to
Reid.

“I’ll have Irie track it,” he says.

“But there’s nothing we can do to prevent
being called?” one of the Assignments asks.

“Just like there’s nothing to prevent the
Snatchings,” I glance around the room, “except you guys.”

“We need to know what the Kings know—that’s
the key. How are we on Clients?” Reid looks to Tucker, then Kelly,
then Jace, “Anyone interested? Or willing to switch teams? What
about Arrivals?”

Kelly shrugs, still with the indelible
frown. “We’ve got a few in the works. Not enough to obtain anything
significant.”

Jace clears his throat, “We talked about the
few Arrivals…”

Reid nods, remembering a conversation. He
turns about in the space, addressing the entire group again, “Well,
when you talk to your Scouts later, make sure to let them know
we’re looking. The more help we can get, the better.”

“And what do we say to them when they
return?” Chief asks. “We’re supposed to tell them she doesn’t
exist?”

“Tell them the truth,” I answer
automatically. “That they can’t remember her, that they ingested
the pill to erase her.”

“And that we used them?” Tucker asks.

“For the good of the Rogues, for
their
good. For our Clients,” I glance around, “
your
Clients. You needed to know for sure before you could confide it in
them. If you’re really as close as you say, they’ll
understand.”

“And when they ask what we can do about it?”
Kelly tries, glancing between Reid and I. “What do we tell
them?”

“What do you tell them about the Snatchings
now?” I ask. “All we can do is try and stop it.”

Chief nods as the others exchange looks
around the room.

“Any other concerns?” Reid poses.

Silence greets him for a second before
Harrison clears his throat uncomfortably. “Perry’s been…
approaching us more recently. Persistent little witch…” he gulps
back an uneasy chuckle, “how do you want us to proceed? Continue to
keep the Kisses at bay?”

Reid stops to consider, the weight of the
room pouring down on his response. After a solid minute, he’s made
up his mind. “We need to know what the Kings know. Break the ban
with the Kisses, do what you need to. Tucker, if you could address
Perry with any concerns, I think that’d be best.”

“Absolutely.”

“All right, next,” Reid throws out to the
group.

Silence greets him for a solid minute.

“Will we be meeting out here again?” someone
calls from the back.

“Where is out here?” someone else asks.

“
What
is out here?” another voice
throws out.

Reid nods, “We’ll meet again soon when
there’s more information. And yes, here. This,” Reid gestures to
the wooden walls of the hollowed trunk around us, “is the only safe
place we can talk. The Maze has too many ears and there’s no way we
can all squeeze into a bunker. We’ll meet here and discuss where
and what this is at a later point. But tonight, let’s focus on your
Scouts.”

The room responds with silence.

“All right,” Reid sums up, “if that’s it,
I’ll hand it back over to Tucker.”

“You staying Rox?” someone calls hopefully
from the back.

“Rox!” another belts, a few hollers erupt in
support. And suddenly it’s an all out chant.

“
Rox, Rox, Rox, Rox, Rox!”

“I…” Reid starts, glancing toward me. I
offer him an encouraging smile as he gulps, refocusing on his
Clansmen. “I only have the Rogues’ best interest at heart. Whatever
my brothers’ need of me… I’m here to serve.”

The room erupts in a chorus of whistles and
cheers, the Rox chant still going strong. Tucker, who stands across
from me, looks relieved, although unsure of whether or not he’s
required to speak. Coming to his rescue, Reid starts again, still
circling in the space.

“Your Scouts are probably ready to return.
It’s time we head back and put Fallon’s,” he gestures to me,
“theory to the test. Clark, Pratt, Vix,” Reid requests, “if you
could secure the tunnel navigation.”

The Clansmen rise and the group begins
filing out. Reid and Sampson resume their post by the door, wishing
each member a personal farewell. With everyone gone, Able and I
pause on our way out of the hovel.

“Congratulations, Fallon,” Sampson smiles,
“you did wonderfully.”

“You think?”

“You spoke your mind and convinced other’s
of your reasoning. I think you did very well.”

“Able told me I had to gain their respect,”
I glance over to him, “I had to
impress
them.”

“Weren’t you planning on doing that anyway?”
Sampson shoots me a sly grin, “Of course it must be difficult
facing such an intimidating group.”

“Intimidating?” Able scoffs, “The Rogues?
What would make you say that?”

“Hey, I have to catch up with Tucker and go
over a few things,” Reid looks to me with a frown. “Will you be all
right?”

“I have Sampson and Able. I’m sure we’ll
make it back.”

“I’ll see you in the Auditorium,” he winks,
taking off into the tunnel.

“I guess being Rox keeps you pretty busy,” I
glance at Able.

He nods, “You have
no
idea.”

Sampson, Able and I use two babeebs to light
our way back, discussing the various Rogues and the success of the
meeting. It takes the same twenty minutes or so, but by the time we
reach the Castle and Sampson’s finished navigating us through the
Maze, we come upon it—a small knot of people just down the West
Wall and in the middle, Reid and Ansley in an all-out shouting
war.

“Shit…” Able mumbles next to me.

I barely hear him. I’m glued to the scene,
which includes several Rogue Clansmen and a small cluster of very
pretty girls surrounding Ansley. Tucker stands between them,
holding his temple as Jace looks on with the first glare I’ve seen.
He catches my eye and starts ushering the other Clansmen away, most
of which have already started leaving on their own.