“A much later addition, but yes, he is now.”
“And the New-Human?”
“He was a part of it for a short time, but I don’t need what I can’t control. His future involvement is still up in the air. You, however, arenota part of my plan.”
Did he bring me here to end up as another corpse?“Are you going to kill me now?” It almost makes sense. After revealing so much of himself to me, why keep the one who knows his secrets?
He pats my shoulder. “My soon-to-be champion cares about you, and I wouldn’t want your death to come between us. Besides, every good plan has anomalies from time to time. I’ll need to find a way to fit you in.” He claps. “Such exciting times!”
*
The following day, Hector leaves for some errands. Helocks me in my room, and I use the opportunity to search for a way out. The only obvious path involves jumping through the window, but it is locked. I check out the bathroom, but there’s nothing there that could help me escape. I give up and take a long shower, making the water as hot as my skin allows.
Once I’m dressed again, I lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, wishing I had a way to pass the time and occupy my mind. I wonder what Timothy is doing now and whether he believes I’m dead. Does Dino already know that they lost contact with me?
The entrance door opens and closes, followed by the sound of Hector’s voice from the living room. Is he speaking with someone?
“You be good now,” he calls. “I promise not to eavesdrop!”
Seconds later, the lock on my door clicks open.
I sit up, my heart beating faster. I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but when the door opens, it is Caden. He shuts the door behind him, and it takes me a moment to notice the anger in his eyes. “What the hell were you thinking coming here? Do you realize what could’ve happened if I didn’t notice you in time? Fuck, I wasn’t even supposed to be there!”
My mouth hangs open. I think of the hell I went through to find him just to have him furious with me. I have dozens of curses spinning in my head, but I end up shouting,“I hate you!”
He sits next to me. “Come here.”
“Don’t touch me!”
“The fuck I won’t.” He pulls me close and holds me tightly to his chest. I force myself to calm down, because I can imagine how traumatizing it must have been for him to see me in the arena with no warning.
Caden leans us back so we lie facing each other.
“I don’t hate you,” I say.
“Happy to hear that.” He cups my cheek and kisses my forehead. “Don’t tell me anything.”
“What?”
“I can’t be sure that Hector won’t find out what you tell me.”
“He already knows I’m here to find you and that I’m working for the Assembly.”
“Did you come here alone?” He gives me a warning look, signaling me to be careful with my words.
“I came here alone.” I add a single nod to emphasize I’m telling the truth. “I heard someone mentioning a Defender who was supposed to fight in the arena, so I went to check and saw you fighting for House Powell. When I left the arena, someone I used to know recognized me.” I can’t bring myself to speak about the hours of torture that followed. “I managed to escape, but then I was arrested and ended up in the arena.”
“I’m sorry you went through that.”
“I knew the risks coming here.” Although I never could have imagined fighting for my life in front of thousands of cheering Raiders.
He wets his lips. “Do you know if Josh—”
“He’s safe.”
Caden lets out a long breath of relief. I hold his hand and tell him what has happened since we found out about the king’s betrayal, careful not to share anything incriminating. I don’t even mention the name Florence, using instead the name of another town in case Hector is somehow listening.
“You flew in a jetpack?”
