“You are going to die,” I growl. “A slow,painfuldeath.”
“Tell the High General we want Victor in exchange for the girl,” she says. “He has until midnight tomorrow to organize the transfer, or the girl dies.”
The line clicks, and I curse under my breath. I was really looking forward to a quiet night. Or as peaceful as it would be with the sisters under my roof.
I yank the office door open to find Mercy staring at me with wide eyes.
“What happened to my sister?”
“Eavesdropping were you?” I brush past her. “You’re lucky I’m too busy to cut out your throat.”
“Is she safe?” she asks. “I just want to know.”
“So long as your father accepts their request,” I say. “Or we find them before they make good on their threats.”
Fear flitters across her eyes.
“He won’t do it.” She shakes her head. “He won’t let them win, not even if it means losing her. He’s selfish. You can’t depend on him.”
“Well, if her own father doesn’t care about her, why should I?” I ask. “I’ll relay the message and leave it to him to figure out while I track down Knox.”
Mercy grabs my wrist, nails digging into my skin.
“What is wrong with you?” she asks. Her eyes are filled with disgust. “Do you possess a soul?”
“You want me to save her?” I ask.
“Please,” she says desperately.
“Admit that you arenotHaven,” I say.
“I…I am,” she stammers. “Why would I lie about that?”
“You tell me.” I sneer. “I’m not the one being deceptive.”
“You’re upset,” she says slowly. She releases me, straightening the imaginary crinkles on her dress. “Your friend was taken. It is making you think thing?—”
“I don’t have time for this.”
I slam the front door behind me, boots scraping against the concrete. Knox and I met in the Forge when we’d both been fresh-faced recruits. He had a humble beginning in Division Four and grew up on a big farm with his loving parents and three sisters.
It was a wonder a bright-eyed optimist like him hit it off with a surly beast like me. But somehow it works, which means I have to do everything in my power to bring him home.
The cold night air hits like a whip, but I barely notice. I need to get to the Forge and get Orion and the others. Knox’s truck tracker should still be active—if they’re moving, I’ll know it. I already checked the one in his Bind, but they're using a jammer to mess with the signal.
My radio beeps again, and I put in my comms link while I drive.
“Vale, status? We just received word of a rebel attack?” It’s Ansel, sharp as ever. “Targets are Fraser and Warrick.”
“Brief Orion, he’ll be my second for now, tell him I want a team on standby,” I say. “I’ll send you the coordinates of Knox’s truck.”
“Understood,” Ansel says. “Do you want me?—”
“No, I’ll handle it.”
I don’t need him to tag along and use Knox’s kidnapping to pad his resume. All he cares about is impressing the Supreme Director and proving me unfit for the position.
The rebels are getting bolder, and I don’t like it. I make a call to each checkpoint and ask them to keep an eye out for any unregistered vehicles.
