Creators(30)

“Yeah, but what? If it’s some sort of attack, then why base yourself here? We’re quite a ways from the council headquarters.”

I shrugged, forcing my face to hide my doubts. “We have our own rebel sect here.”

“Yeah, but all they ever do is gather intel. They’re not really the fighting kind.”

“Well, if they’re into gathering intel then maybe that’s what my father is doing. Gathering information so he can set his plan into motion,” I suggested.

“It doesn’t feel like he’s planning anything. It feels like he’s hiding from someone, and he drags that group of yes-sir men and women around with him for protection,” Eric said.

“Hiding? I don’t think my father’s the run from a fight type. He left my family to fight in the resistance.”

“Maybe he’s not hiding,” Eric said. “Maybe he’s hiding something.”

“What would he be hiding?” I asked. But something whispered in the back of my mind. Mention of a package. Could that be it? But what object could be so important?

Eric stared off into the slowly fading sunlight. A sign that the one thing we could always count on was that light would give in to darkness. “I don’t know, but I intend to find out. If you hear anything, you’ll let me know?”

Eric could read my hesitation. “You’re one of us now. You’re part of this community. Whatever your father is hiding, by keeping it here, he’s putting everyone in danger. People who took you in, Tess. Despite everything, you should remember that.”

I thought of Lockwood and Sharon, and I knew I would do anything to protect them. They had become my family out in the wildness.

“The people who live here didn’t come to this place because they wanted to fight. They came here because they wanted to live,” Eric said softly.

I nodded. “You’re right. And I’ll do whatever I can to make sure they’re safe.”

Eric exhaled with relief. “Now, we just need to find out what he’s planning.”

I looked up at my new co-conspirator. “I think I may have an idea. How long does it take to make that shine stuff? You know, that drink that makes you drunk?”

Eric simply grinned.





Chapter 12


Later that evening, I trudged toward the infirmary where Louisa was staying. I lifted my hand to knock on the door when I heard her laugh drift out from underneath it. I stilled. It was one of the most beautiful noises I had ever heard. I cringed thinking about how shrill her laughter had always sounded to my ears. Now that I could lose her, it brought me joy.

I leaned my ear against the door. Lockwood’s muffled voice called out to me, and I couldn’t help but smile, shaking my head slightly. Of course Lockwood would be able to get Louisa to laugh. He was a pro at making people feel better.

“You really think I’m like her? Emma is my favorite of Ms. Austen’s characters,” Louisa said.

“Of course I do,” Lockwood replied, an airy, amused lightness to his voice.

“I guess she really isn’t that likeable though. She can come across as pretty selfish. I guess I am like her.”

“People only say that because they don’t know her. Her intentions are commendable. She wants the best for everyone she cares about. Sure, maybe she goes about it the wrong way, but she never tries to hurt anyone.”

“I don’t think anyone has ever misread me,” Louisa said. “I’ve always done and said exactly what I wanted. It’s funny. I could always fool the others—my oldest sister and the rest of the compound people—but never Tess. She always saw me for what I was.”

“Maybe she saw you for who you were, but now she gets to see who you become. Besides, I don’t think you’re selfish. And any girl who says exactly what she wants is appreciated by this man,” Lockwood teased.

Louisa laughed again. Louder. Stronger. “You’re a rare find! When I worked at Templeton, that’s the way they wanted us. Shy. Eyes down. Simpering like we didn’t know that we could want anything for ourselves at all. Even George…”

I gritted my teeth at the mention of his name, pressing my ear harder against the door. Louisa sniffled. I placed my hand against the door, wanting to comfort her but knowing I had to pull myself together. I had to be strong when I entered that room.

When I reached for the doorknob, Lockwood’s voice stopped me. “Shhh, it’s all right. I promise it’s going to be all right.”

“But it isn’t,” Louisa insisted. “Nothing will ever be all right again. Either I die or I become a mother. I’m not ready to be a mom. God, I was so dumb. Silly to believe all the pretty things he said to me. I didn’t care who said it; I was just so desperate to hear them.”