“And did I hear right about the medianotcoming?” Sally asks. “That was their one and only demand. I thought it was fairly straightforward.”
I don’t know what to tell them. I don’t know how much to reveal.
I take a breath. “I’m not sure exactly what’s going on. Drake doesn’t know anything about the anti-vaxxers.”
“What?” Wren asks, frowning. “I thought he was a Council member. Surely Council members are kept up to date with all important matters pertaining to island safety?”
“They are. They were told by Draig Security that I shifted and lost control of my dragon. That someone was killed as a result. They think that to avoid being captured and jailed, I’ve taken hostages. There was no mention made of any anti-vaxxers.”
Sally gasps, her hand covering her mouth for a few seconds. “That’s ridiculous. That male, Kaine, spoke to someone out there. They must know it’s them and not you. Why would they assume that?”
“They know about the anti-vaxxers, but they’re covering the truth,” I say.
“Why?” Wren shakes her head. “This doesn’t make any sense. Why would they want to pin this on you?”
“I don’t understand either,” Sally says, shaking her head.
“I don’t know,” I lie. “But it’s happening. Drake thinks they’re planning on taking out the anti-vaxxers, so that the truth will be buried with them.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Sally snorts. “We’ll set the record straight.”
“Unless…they…unless…” Wren’s lip trembles. “This can’t be happening.”
Sally’s face goes pale.
“This is crazy, Grim. We’re sounding just as bad as them.” Wren points at the door. “Just as deranged. Why would Draig Security pin this on you and bury the truth by murdering people in cold blood? Why?”
“We will get out of this, won’t we?” Sally’s lip trembles.
My whole body tightens. “We will if I have anything to say about it.”
“This can’t be happening.” Tears stream down Sally’s face. “There must be some mistake. Councilor Drake is wrong. He misunderstood.”
“Can I see your phone again?” I ask Wren.
“Sure.” She hands the device to me. “The code is one, two, three, four.”
I give her a look, trying hard not to laugh. “You should think of changing that.”
She shrugs. “I keep meaning to, but…”
I quickly Google the Vaccination Center. There is coverage of the story. But it’s just speculation about what is going on. All the media know at this point is that something is going on in this area. That there was an illegal shift and a dragon sighting,and that it must be quite serious to garner this much security. Otherwise, as Drake said, they are being kept at a distance, and no official statements have been given at this time.
“What is it?” Wren asks. “You’re frowning.”
“Drake is right; the media has no idea what’s really going on.” I hand Wren her phone. After scrolling for a few seconds, she hands it to Sally.
“No, no, no.” Sally starts crying again.
“Hey.” Wren moves to her side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “We’re going to figure this out. We need to keep our cool and be clever about this.” She looks at me. “We have this cellphone, and we have someone on our side out there.”
Sally moans. “They’re going to kill us, Wren. All of us. I’m never going to see my Stephan again. Or my kids. We’re witnesses and—”
“Sally.” Wren’s voice is firm. “Look at me. Look at me,” she repeats.
Sally meets her eye.
“We arenotgoing to die,” Wren says slowly. “We’re smart. We’re going to get out of this.”
