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  Hayes leaned back against the wall and slowly slid to his bottom. His elbows were on his bent knees as he rubbed at a small pebble.

  “What are you going to say to him?” Hayes asked without looking at me.

  I knew he wasn’t talking about the city or my father. He was wondering what I was going to tell Boone about us.

  It was true that I’d had a major crush on Boone. In fact, it had been mutual but things were different. At least I thought they were.

  “I’m going to tell him I’m engaged, just like I told everyone else,” I said after a much too long pause.

  “We’re not engaged,” Hayes said. “That was your father’s doing.”

  “But we’d been seeing each other,” I said daring a quick glance. “That was our doing.”

  Hayes sighed. “That was different. You didn’t know if he was dead or alive. Now, you know. I’m not his competition. Never was and never wanted to be. The whole city knew how you two felt about each other.”

  “That was different. I was different.”

  “That’s what you think,” Hayes said. “I want to stop you from going but I know it’s the whole reason you’re out here.”

  “I’ll come back to you,” I said crouching down to look into his eyes. “Nothing will stop me from getting back to you.”

  Hayes looked into my eyes. “And nothing is going to stop me from going back to the city with you. If you want to take down your father, then I’ll be at your side.”

  Whatever had started between Hayes and me in the city, was still there. I couldn’t help it. It was embedded deep inside me.

  “You were always the one,” I said smiling as the words escaped. “I don’t know how I hadn’t always known.”

  I knew,” Hayes said as a slow grin appeared on his face. “It was scary, though.”

  “What was scary?”

  “Waiting to see if you’d figure it out.”

  I slipped my hands around Hayes’s neck, breathing the damp cellar air into my lungs. My insides warmed.

  “I figured it out,” I whispered.

  “Took you long enough,” Hayes said as he pulled me to him and pressed his lips to mine.

  It wasn’t long before the taste of sweetness turned into a pang of insatiable hunger. I needed every inch of Hayes to feel like myself again.

  “I would have waited forever,” Hayes said pulling away from me for only a second before his lips returned to mine.

  He stood and I didn’t let go of him as he practically carried me over to the door. His fingers fumbled at the doorknob.

  “It doesn’t lock,” he said barely pausing his kisses to speak.

  I shook my head, not knowing what to say. His hands glided down my sides, hesitating briefly at my waistband before sliding around to the button in front.

  My heart raced as my pants dropped to the floor. Hayes grabbed my hips and raised me off of the ground, pressing my back against the door.

  I wrapped my legs around him as the world around us started to spin. My eyes closed at the sound of his zipper.

  The second I felt him I melted. Hayes was my everything and I held on as if my life depended on it.

  He gently rocked into me and I dug my fingertips into his shoulders. I wanted our moment to last forever but I knew that it couldn’t.

  In fact, our time together would have to be short. I let everything I was feeling leave my body so I could concentrate on Hayes completely.

  His lips on my neck were soft. His arms holding me wrapped me in nothing but a loving warmth.

  Our bodies moved in perfect harmony. My body tensed and I ached for my release.

  We breathed together. Each breath short and frantic. My scalp started to tingle and I erupted in pleasure. I pressed my mouth down against Hayes’s shoulder as I clung to him. I wanted to scream out as pure bliss enveloped me but of course, I couldn’t.

  His movements slowed as we floated back to earth. Hayes grinned at me as his chest rapidly rose and fell.

  “I don’t know what came over me,” he said.

  “Me either but I liked it,” I said smiling back.

  His blue eyes had their sparkle again but it didn’t last. Just after I buttoned my pants, we came back to reality.

  He knew I’d be leaving to see Boone and shortly after that I’d be off to assassinate the man who’d pretended to be my father. There was a good chance I’d never know my father or even if he were alive or dead but there was still time to get to know my mother.

  “I still can’t believe she’s my mother,” I said wishing my thoughts could have stayed focused on Hayes longer.

  Every muscle in my body tightened right back into its stressed position. Once everything was over, then I’d be able to relax again.

  “It’s hard to believe she was out here the whole time,” Hayes said carefully taking quick glances. It was pretty obvious he didn’t know what to say about any of it.

  “Yeah, because of my father,” I said shaking my head.

  “What are you going to tell Boone?” Hayes asked apprehensively.

  I scratched at my hairline with a shaking finger. “Everything. I need to tell him I’m sorry that I didn’t do more to stop my father. I should have been banished with them.”

  “Well, I’m glad you weren’t.”

  “It’s bothered me for a very long time. In fact, I need to apologize to Trixie too.”

  “She doesn’t blame you,” Hayes said. “She blames your father and rightfully so.”

  I shook my head. “You don’t know who she blames. Anyway, they’re all going to want to know the plan when we go out there.”

  “Then tell them what you told me,” Hayes said wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “I can do this. I can make things right again,” I said but it sounded more like I was trying to convince myself.

  Hayes squeezed me before walking over to the door. His fingers curled around the doorknob. “I know you can. And you won’t be alone.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The storm was still in full force. At least that was what Aaron, Michelle’s guard, had reported not long ago.

  “We could be down here for a while,” Trixie said.

  “What was the longest you were stuck down here?” Gina asked.

  Gina and Trixie seemed to get along right off the bat. I hadn’t realized until I saw them talking that they were rather similar.

  “A month?” Trixie surmised as scrunched up her nose.

  Michelle was sitting in a chair, looking around the room with her eyelids half-closed. She appeared regal.

  Everyone in the room seemed relaxed. They could move around and talk freely. It appeared as though they had a fairly good life. They weren’t going to risk everything just to help me take down the city.

  I told Trixie, Gina, and Grayson what I’d talked to Hayes about. Lillian, my mother, listened in but kept her mouth closed.

  “When the storm ends,” Trixie said shooting a quick glance in Michelle’s direction, “I’ll take you to Boone.”

  “Trixie,” Michelle said sharply. “May I see you for a moment?”

  “Of course,” Trixie said standing. She kept her shoulders back as she approached the woman.

  They kept their voices down as they quietly discussed something. I tried not to make it obvious that I was watching them as they went back and forth over several minutes.

  When their conversation ended, Trixie came back over with a strange smile pasted to her face. She was stiffer. Quieter.

  “Everything okay?” I asked quietly.

  “Yeah, of course,” Trixie said placing her hand on my arm. “We’ll head out as soon as the storm is over. Michelle will give us some supplies to take.”

  “Oh,” I said hiding my surprise. It had seemed like Trixie had received bad news based on how she’d been acting. “What about our supplies?”

  Trixie stared at me for a moment. “They’re yours. Do with them as you wish.”

  “What is she going to do to us
?” I asked leaning closer.

  “Nothing,” Trixie said with a shrug. “Unless you decide to leave the natives.”

  “What happens if we leave,” I asked my voice cracking with apprehension.

  Trixie drew in a breath and slowly exhaled. “We’ll discuss that later. But you won’t want to leave. Staying with the natives is your best chance of survival. In fact, there is a chance that Boone may not be alive or he may have moved on.”

  I looked down and Hayes placed his hand on my shoulder. My fingers covered my mouth for a moment before I exhaled.

  “I don’t think we’ll be staying,” I said. “As long as everyone is in, we’re going to head back to the city.”

  “That’s acceptable to Michelle,” Trixie said. “You just can’t stay out here and not be part of the natives.”

  “Why not?” Gina asked.

  Trixie turned to her slowly. “It’s just not allowed. For our safety.”

  “Okay,” I said loud enough for Michelle to hear. “We understand. It’ll be a few days after I see Boone before we’re organized.”

  My jaw stiffened as I turned to look in Michelle’s direction. She offered me a small nod to indicate that she would allow us to remain for a short time.

  “None of the natives are allowed to go with you,” Trixie said.

  “What about you?” I asked.

  “If I go, I cannot return,” Trixie stared at her twisting fingers.

  It wasn’t fair that Trixie was being forced to choose between the people that had accepted her and helped her survive and me.

  “You should stay,” I said shaking my head as I looked at each and every one of them. Especially Hayes, although I already knew he would be at my side. “It’s safer and smarter for you all to just stay here. I’m not going to ask anyone to come with me. This is my battle.”

  “But the war is all of ours,” Lillian said. “I’m in. I want nothing more than to see Edward go down for everything he’s done.”

  Michelle cleared her throat. “The city has always been our enemy. Our stories go way back to the time after the storms erased the world. Things were very divided. They went their way and we went ours. It’s best if we keep it that way. I need to do what’s best for my people.”

  “And what will you do when all of the people from the city leave and they’re roaming about your lands?” I asked.

  “I will protect my people,” Michelle said firmly. “Do you really think that the people of your city will survive out here? I’m actually quite surprised you’ve made it this far. That isn’t typical.”

  “How would you know that?” Gina asked plainly.

  Michelle smirked. “We find corpses.”

  “Oh,” Gina said.

  “We need to come to some sort of agreement,” I said getting to my feet. I boldly approached Michelle.

  Aaron and her other guard kept their eyes on me. And their spears.

  “What sort of agreement?” Michelle asked. “I’m not really known for making agreements.”

  “You don’t need to take in the people of the city but you need to understand that those people are not a threat to you.” I pressed my fingertip into my palm as I spoke.

  “All I’ve heard since you’ve arrived is what an awful man your father is,” Michelle said. “How would I know what the rest of the city is like?”

  “You’ve met me, you’ve taken in Lillian and Trixie,” I said. “We are no threat to you or your people.”

  Michelle raised a single brow. “That’s just a person here and there. An entire city fleeing into the unknown. That’s chaos. I don’t want chaos nor does Mother Earth.”

  She didn’t know what Mother Earth wanted and I was tempted to say as much but of course, I couldn’t. I was trying to come to some kind of agreement with her not piss her off.

  “Let’s say you just let them be,” I suggested.

  “How would I know who are the people from the city and who is someone who means to do us harm?” Michelle asked.

  “Do you often run into people who want to do you harm out here? Isn’t it just the natives roaming about?” I countered.

  Michelle folded her hands together. “There are others. But their numbers have significantly lowered over the years. They wanted to destroy us but they didn’t win and they won’t.”

  “Do they look different from us?” I asked.

  “Not really. They’re pale like you because they mostly hide underground but they do speak differently,” Michelle said.

  “Maybe it’s time we rethink our ways,” Trixie suggested.

  Michelle shot her a threatening look and Trixie lowered her gaze. It was almost as if I could see her lips seal shut.

  “Will the people of the city even want to leave?” Michelle asked.

  “Those who are treated unfairly may once they learn what is out here,” I said. “They are hard workers and they’d be loyal.” An idea struck me. “If you have enemies out here, why not join forces with the city?”

  “We don’t need a bigger army,” Michelle said. “As I said, the battle is over. The natives have come out victorious. Every so often we come across a small group but taking care of them is easy enough.”

  My shoulders rose as I drew in a breath. “Perhaps you could allow us access to some of the land. You’ve done so before. It’s obvious you have more than enough.”

  Michelle opened her mouth but snapped it closed and shook her head. “You’re not going to give up, are you?”

  “I’m not,” I said firmly.

  “How about this,” Michelle said leaning forward. “If you successfully free your city as you hope to do, we can then discuss terms that are acceptable to both your people and the natives. Perhaps we can live in harmony if they understand our ways.”

  I nodded. “They will respect Mother Earth. That I can assure you. Those who won’t can stay inside the walls.”

  “Level two won’t leave the city,” Grayson said with a chuckle.

  “That’s well and good, but if they don’t abide by whatever terms we agree upon, I will do what is necessary,” Michelle said her lips curling into a grin. “It will be difficult for you to accomplish your goal.”

  “I know,” I said. “But if I don’t try, no one ever will.”

  Michelle nodded. “Good luck. You are welcome to stay with us until you are ready to depart. And once you leave, the only one I will want to see again is you,” she said pointing at me. “If Trixie and Lillian choose to go with you. They are yours. They may not return.”

  “May I ask why not?” I questioned.

  “Purely for safety reasons,” Michelle said. “There was a time a small group left and when they returned, they started murdering us in our sleep. They’d been converted by the others out there. I can’t risk that happening again. I’m only letting you stay here because Trixie begged me. She’s vouched for you and we’re keeping a very close eye on all of you.”

  Suddenly it felt like every eye in the room was on me. The people in the room with us were likely trained to do whatever was necessary to protect the camp.

  My eyes scanned the room and I only first noticed that everyone was armed with a sharped stone blade or a spear. We were being kept separated from the others because Michelle didn’t know if we could be trusted.

  “The majority of the people living inside the wall are good. Many have been mistreated,” I explained. “They’re not bad. They’re not a threat.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that,” Michelle said holding up her palm. “We’ll talk more when you finish your war.”

  Her hand lowered to her lap and she looked away. The conversation was over.

  Now all that was left to do was to wait for the storm to end.

  Chapter Sixteen

  We’d been stuck underground for three days before Aaron burst into the room breathing as if he’d just been chased by a beast. His eyes were wide as he stared across the room at Michelle.

  She stood, instantly recognizing that something was wrong.r />
  Aaron was a fairly tall man with dark, nearly perfect skin. The panic that he wore on his face seemed out of place.

  “Michelle,” he said sounding as though he was out of breath.

  “Yes,” she said taking a quick apprehensive step toward him.

  “We have a problem,” Aaron said.

  Michelle walked across the room and he spewed words into her ear. He didn’t want anyone else to know what the problem was and he probably had his reasons.

  Everyone in the room looked around at each other as a cloud of complete silence sucked at the oxygen. The tension around us was so thick it felt like a putty I could roll it into a ball.

  Aaron shook his head at whatever Michelle had asked him. Her eyebrows pinched before she dropped to the ground.

  Michelle placed her palms against the floor and stretched them out over her head. Her legs were bent behind her and the tip of her nose touched the cement. She chanted something I couldn’t make out over and over again.

  I wanted to ask what was going on but my mouth wouldn’t open. I brought my fingernail to my lip and chewed even though I could taste the gritty dirt that had gotten trapped underneath the nail.

  It looked as though Michelle was praying. After a minute, her back rounded upward as she drew in a long breath. She looked like her calm self again as she got to her feet and exited the room without a word.

  “What was that about?” I asked Trixie making sure to keep my voice lower than a whisper.

  “Something bad is happening,” Trixie said as she stood. She placed her hands on her hips as she looked down at me. “I’ve only seen her react that way once before.”

  “What had happened?” Gina asked. She was looking for clues. Insight into the current problem.

  Trixie hesitated. “Ice had sealed us underground.”

  Someone in the room gasped. I was pretty sure it was the woman who’s shaking hand was over her mouth. The woman had likely been there.

  “It’s not winter,” I said.

  “It didn’t happen here. We were north at the time,” Trixie said catching my eyes. “A different season. This is something different.”