“You knew Elsa was a traitor?” Adam chokes out, the blood drained from his face.
Charles grimaces. “I knew it was someone on the Council, but wasn’t sure who.”
Katherine covers her mouth with a horrified gasp while Adam’s shock morphs to anger.
“This is a fucking mess,” he grumbles, raking a hand through his greasy hair. “But if Elsa was the traitor, then why are the security team grabbing random people from their homes? And why weren’t we notified the moment Elsa was revealed?” The entitled demand and accusation in his tone has me clenching my fists and swallowing a growl.
I’m so done with these idiots.
“Theo and I spent the entirety of last night combing through Elsa’s records instead of wasting time talking to you. And those residents might have helped her smuggle supplies, food andpeopleout of Haven,” I snarl as I advance towards the three idiots.
Theo grabs my shoulder before I can get too close, but the effect of my words on them is immediate. All three of them blanch, their faces so pale they look like they've seen a ghost.
“People?” Charles asks in a weak voice. “She sold our people to that vile gang?” He looks to Theo, almost begging him to say that it’s a lie, but Theo doesn’t give him that mercy and nods.
“The missing supply team members…” Adam sways as he speaks. “I thought… I thought Rhys was just being paranoid… Oh God.” He slaps a hand over his mouth and staggers to the nearest tree, leaning heavily against it.
Katherine joins him, silent tears dripping down her wrinkled face as she clutches her throat. “How long?” she asks.
I remain quiet, letting Theo be the one to answer their questions. I’m pretty sure I’ll just growl at them if I try.
“We’re not sure, but at least a few months for the supplies and food. As for the people, since the Scourge first attacked in January.”
Charles’s hand trembles as he runs it through his messy hair. “Alright.” He sucks in a deep breath before stiffening his spine. “What do you need from us?”
To do your bloody jobis what I want to say to them. Like he can read my mind, Theo’s hand tightens on my shoulder and I bite my tongue. Doesn’t stop me from glaring at the three of them as Theo answers his question.
“You need to inform the people about what’s happening, without going into too many details and panicking them. Tell everyone to cooperate with security forces and that everything is being done to ensure their safety. Got it?”
“Consider it done,” the old man says before turning to his two fellow councillors. “Let’s set up a settlement meeting and get this over with.”
I’m only too glad to watch as the three of them leave, disappearing into the trees.
Theo pats my shoulder. “Come on, big guy. You have a bed to build.”
I blow out a breath that sounds more like a snarl as I resist the urge to tell Theo where he can shove his bed-building idea. While I’d love nothing more than to help Anthony with his interrogation of the traitors, I understand that with the state I’m in, they might not make it out of the room in one piece.
So, with a heavy sigh, I turn and follow Theo back into the cabin, throwing myself into building the bed and focusing on the most important thing in my life; Ollie.
More than Enough
Olivia
Bright sunlight shines throughthe car windows, rousing me from my panic-induced sleep and bringing with it a deep sense of relief.
Holy shit, we did it. We survived the night. All without freezing to death, getting mauled by zombies, or being captured by the Scourge. But, as I blink open my eyes to find myself curled up in Rhys’s lap, I can feel the drool drying on the side of my mouth and on his shoulder.
Fuck.
My cheeks heat and I don’t dare move. I hope Rhys is still asleep and won’t realise that I’ve drooled all over him like a dog. Unfortunately, I’m not that lucky because I feel him stir a moment later.
“There’s no point pretending, princess. I know you’re awake,” he says with a chuckle. “How are you feelingthis morning?”
So he’s ignoring the drool? Thank God. “I’ve been better, but it’s not the worst sleep I’ve ever had,” I croak, glancing around the car. The windows have fogged over, making it difficult to see outside. At least it’s not freezing in here.
“Should I count the drooling as a compliment, then?”
Damn it. I cringe and flick my gaze up at him.
