“We need to discuss whether we’re going back to the compound. I was told that I needed to bring you back to them before I did anything else,” I explain. As soon as the words leave my mouth, I feel the cold start to worsen on one side of me. I frown as I glance back at the open door. It must be getting colder out there. Ignoring the sensation, I add, “It’s not close. This place is further out than I thought it was. I wasn’t really paying much attention when I came here last time, and then I got attacked on the way back, so time was the last thing that I was focusing on. I also can’t guarantee the reception that we’re going to receive.”
I’m aware that it sounds like I’m trying to dissuade them from going to the compound, and quite frankly, that’s because I am.
“They were the ones who sent you to find us, correct? So why does it sound like you don’t want us to go back there?” Reaper asks, as always, looking suspicious.
Although, to be fair, he could very well actually be suspicious this time. I mean, I probably would be if the roles were reversed under these circumstances.
I nod, “Yes, technically I was. However, that doesn’t mean that they would be happy to see me back, or you, for that matter.”
“That makes no sense,” Rival points out.
“I know.”
“We’ll come back to that,” Killian says, levelling me with a look that says that we will be coming back to it, whether I like it or not.
The thing is, I get it.
I know why they want to know what the hell I’m rambling about, but I’m not entirely sure how to explain it in a way that makesthem understand what I mean, and without sounding crazy or overly suspicious.
The only slight advantage that I have in this situation is that they have no idea what the compound is, how it is run, or who the people are who are in charge. That will hopefully mean that they’re more likely to believe what I’m saying.
I suppose that there is a part of me that’s uneasy. I guess is what you would call the emotion I’m feeling. I have been untrusting and suspicious of the compound and its leaders for years, but I could never prove anything, and all the people that I spoke to about it were happier to bury their heads in the sand rather than to rock the boat and admit that I may be right.
They didn’t really care, so long as they remained relatively safe because they all believed that what was outside of the gates and the lights was far more dangerous than anything that was within them, and for a long time, even though I had my suspicions, I agreed with them.
Chapter Seven
Aldrastos
It was better the devil I know.
However, I’m quickly changing my mind.
Laikynn is a big part of why I’m changing my mind. We were taught that they were all mindless, violent beasts that would kill us for fun. They couldn’t be further than that.
I always knew that they lied to us, but I think I’m only just beginning to understand how deep those lies go, and how much they could have lied about.
The thought is not reassuring in the slightest.
“How far away is far?” Mayhem asks.
I pull my thoughts away from the compound, which I definitely don’t want to take them to anymore, and say, “It’s probably about four hours' walk, maybe longer.”
Storm frowns, “Okay, well, I’m not sure that I’m willing to walk that right now. Am I right in thinking that we would most likely end up running into people who are not happy to see us?”
I wince, “That’s putting it mildly. We will have to fight.”
“What are you thinking?” Loki asks Storm.
“Why don’t we stay here for the night?” Storm suggests. “We know we’re relatively safe, safer than we would be walking, and we can set up watches through the night. We’ve got four walls and a decent place to rest. I think we should take advantage of it.”
“And there’s food,” Loki calls out happily as he opens one of the cupboards.
“Thank fuck, I’m starving,” Zev mutters as he walks over to where Loki is and starts to open more cupboards. “I think Ignatius knew that we would need to rest, and that’s why he sent us here as well.”
“You think, or you know?” Mayhem asks.
Zev looks over his shoulder and smirks, “I know.”
