“None.”
“Oh, well, that’s good, then.” Legion turns away reluctantly and gestures for us to follow him. He brings us to a massively overgrown shrub that blocks out the entire view.
I dubiously look at the plant that stands ten feet high. “Just how crazy are you?”
Legion smirks and parts the shrubs, revealing a dark interior. He steps into it, holding the leaves back, revealing a cut in the fence bars that are behind it.
“I’m mad. Totally and completely.”
I step through and stop just past Legion, staring up at a massive, old school. I don’t know what the school was like, but judging by the size of it, a good number of students came here.
I walk through the tall grass, Jarek and Cadel by my side. Mordecai is deep in talks with Legion behind us, and the two alphas have gone back out into the city.
The building looks old, really old, but sturdy. I want to go and touch the bricks and wonder how many people have been here before. I don’t feel worthy of being here.
I push the massive door open and step inside, allowing my eyes to adjust. The sounds inside mute instantly, and I freeze in place when I see the amount of people that are sitting inside the building, now staring back at me.
“That’s Keres.”
“The omega who escaped the Beta’s Path.”
“The one that is prophesied to destroy the Warden and bring the Path down.”
“Kaida.”
“Kaida Keres.”
I turn around, but Jarek catches my upper arms.
“We can leave. I absolutely will help you run away from these idiots, but I think we should grab some food and weapons before we head out into this deranged city.”
His thumbs stroke my arms.
“I will not let anyone here hurt you, Keres.”
I lift my eyes to his and see the truth there, the promise. He’ll do it, he’ll be on my side against them. Even if I’m wrong, even if I’m selfish. He will help me.
“Okay.”
He smiles, and it feels like the sun that I’ve never seen has just brightened the sky.
Chapter 14
The Resistance
The hush of the crowd makes me want to run back out to the streets of Foreen and fight to the death with the Beta’s Path. This tension-filled silence as they stare at me like I’m the answer to their prayers, like I’m some kind of Saviour, is sick. Some eyes are filled with awe, some are filled with envy, but they are all staring at me, waiting for me to speak, and I have nothing to give them. So, they smother in that toxic blend of fear and hope, and I do and say nothing.
Legion walks in behind us, breaking the glass-like expectations, and claps Jarek on the shoulder. The ease with which the two touch people is something I am deeply envious of, but right now, I’m glad that they have stolen the gazes of the people from me.
“Our friends have made it home,” Legion announces like we’ve just come home from war.
I turn my head and glare at him, grinding my teeth so I don’t lash out in front of all these people.
Home? No omega or alpha will ever find a home in Foreen. And we are not friends.
I brush my hair back and sidestep away from Legion when he reaches out to place a hand on my shoulder. A subtle warning that I will not just go along with his plans.
He withdraws it with a wry smile. “I forget that people don’t like to be touched.”
