***
Violet, Elijah, and Penny were not handcuffed. When I entered each of their rooms, they hugged me, asked if I was alright, inquired about James’s whereabouts, and then expressed their desire to leave and never return.
“We’re staying.” I told them when we were all together in a group. Violet, who had been embracing James, turned to look at me, eyes wide in surprise.
“What do you mean, we’re staying? Brynn, they dragged us out of the jungle in the middle of the day, they threw us in cells…”
“Yes, they were very untoward. They were not kind. However, we all know that trekking through the jungle is unsafe. Our experience in the cave was enough of an indication. It was more than a fair warning. We need to stay here with other people who can protect us, if need be.”
“We were doing fine protecting ourselves.” Elijah spat angrily, “We’re evolving. Most of the people here aren’t, I'd be willing to bet.”
“Wasn’t this always our endgame, though?” James chimed in to help me out, “Weren’t we headed here to begin with?”
“Yeah, before the monstrous squid-shark experience, we were headed here. That should have been enough of a sign.” Violet crossed her arms over her chest, closing herself off to any further reasoning. I was still going to try to explain whether she was open to hearing the logistical details behind my decision or not.
“I am aware that we are all upset. But they are offering us a place to stay. Everyone works around here, so we would have to be alright with that. But we will have a supply of food, constant shelter, and there is strength in numbers, like we have always said.”
“Look, Brynn, I can see why you think this would be a good idea.” Elijah told me after a moment of pondering all I had said. “But there was no reason for them to drag us out the woods like that. We really thought that they were natives, and I almost killed one of them.”
“Well, clearly they are not that offended by your violent outburst because you are still standing here.”
“I don’t trust that guy.”
“It’s not Don that I don’t trust.” Violet disagreed, “He’s nothing. He’s not a threat at all. I mean, look at him…”
We all turned to observe Don, who was talking quietly to Adam. I did not listen in on their conversation because I knew that Adam would sense it. I had already experienced the mind-numbing pain he inflicted on those who rudely eavesdropped.
“He’s nothing,” Violet repeated, “It’s that other guy. What did you say his name was?”
“Adam. But you need to remember that he saved your life when he certainly didn’t have to. Because of that, we should at least try to trust him.” James told her.
“James, they beat you up. How can you not want to do the same to them?” Violet changed tactics quickly; she was now appealing to his ruthless pride. Smart move, Violet Mae…
His expression darkened suddenly at the mention of it. I grasped his hand in mine and linked our fingers together. He looked at me and softened immediately. I smiled at him before looking away.
“Your sister is right,” James told them, “We don’t have a choice. We have to stay here.”
“They know that we’re changing over.” Elijah told us, “I heard two of the guards talking about it. I understand that we need to be part of a group, but I don’t think that aligning ourselves with people who hang their freaking dismembered enemies from trees…”
“That is enough.” I snapped at him. I looked down at Penny, who held my other hand even tighter at the mention of the poor souls left to hang in the woods. “You didn’t see that, did you?”
She shook her head and wrapped her arms around my middle. I patted her head comfortingly.
“You are angry that they dragged you here. I understand that. I am not exactly thrilled about it, either. But I also understand that despite what they have done, they are our best chance of surviving.” I sighed heavily, looking up for divine guidance to help me determine how best to make them understand. As usual, I was offered no help, at least not by a higher power.
James rescued me from the conversational stalemate as he always did.
“It has been a long, violent fight. Every day since we’ve been here, we’ve been fighting something. Natives, Shadows, cave-people, monstrous squid-sharks…” He looked between Violet and Elijah, “The list will go on the longer we stay out there. Who knows what else we’ll see? Who knows if we’ll continue to survive? At least here, we have a chance. We might not see another fight ever. Is there anything else that we could possibly ask for, given the circumstances?”
Elijah and Violet were convinced by what he had said. They still distrusted the situation as James and I did. But they knew he was right. I wanted to hug him in thanks for convincing them, but I also wanted to roll my eyes in annoyance that was only partially serious. Why was it always James who was able to convince people? We would have to compare notes on the fine art of debating a course of action.
“Now we need to tell Quinn, Alice, and Nick that we are staying.” I heeded James’s request that we keep them close. He looked at me, and I nodded before speaking again, “I might not agree, but it is important to you.”
“It is.” James responded, and I could see that he wanted to kiss me to show his gratitude for my agreement. But Elijah was there with us, so instead of a kiss, I got a quick squeeze on the shoulder. “I don’t want to see them get hurt after everything we’ve survived.”
“I know. I am starting to agree with you more and more on that, believe it or not.”
“Or not.” He responded sardonically, and I swatted him lightly in the arm with a suppressed smile forming on my face.
“Well, I don’t agree with that at all!” Violet exclaimed after crossing her arms again, “We don’t need them. You two don’t need any more responsibility. We were just saying that you two are leading the way and doing a damn good job of it.”
“You thought that was a good job?” James asked incredulously, “I shudder to think what a bad job is.”
“Speak for yourself, James Maxwell. I personally believe that we were doing a stellar job.”
“We nearly got eaten by a prehistoric river serpent, we almost drowned in said river, we were attacked by…”
“Thank you!” I pressed my fingers to his lips to stop him from continuing.
“Whatever your own opinions of it are, even Quinn, Alice, and Nick said that under the circumstances, you guys are doing a good job.” Elijah added.
“Oh, so you all have spoken? That is nice.” I replied honestly, “That will make convincing them to stay much easier. I was picturing a slippery, one hundred and seventy-nine degree slope.”
“I talked to them.” Elijah corrected me, “Violet is still mad that they left us to fight by ourselves in the cave.”
“Forgive me for being slightly put out by an obvious show of cowardice.”
“Alright, Brynna…” Elijah snapped sarcastically, “I wasn’t getting on you about it. I was just telling her what was going on after they disappeared.”
“I just don’t think that you two need to be responsible for three people who wouldn’t throw water on us if we were on fire. That’s all I’m saying.” Violet held her hands up in defense.
“I would not go that far. Surely, if all was known, and there was a sense of immediacy, not to mention the guilt that would follow watching someone burn to death…” I started.
“Oh my God, Brynna!” Violet threw her hands up in frustration now.
While Violet was clearly at her wits end from hearing so many of my overly logistical musings on things, James and Elijah were both laughing hysterically after that particular one.
“You think I am being funny, but I was just pointing out a fallacy…” I continued seriously. I sighed heavily and walked forward, heading towards Adam and Don. When they turned to me, I shuddered upon meeting Adam’s eyes. There was a depth to them that I had not noticed before. It was downright unnerving; the icy chill of his gaze shot cl
ean through my own and burrowed deep inside of my mind, where it could see all and know all, even the things I had kept secret for so long. I looked away from him immediately and spoke to Don instead. Standing next to Adam, Don was about as threatening as a guppy swimming alongside a great white shark. I looked between them, trying not to smile; the simile was very fitting, actually.
“We have decided to stay, though as I have stated, I do not believe that we have much of a choice.”
“Of course you…” Don started soothingly only to be interrupted by Adam.
“You are right, as always, Ms. Olivier. You did not have a choice.”
“Adam, I don’t think that making the girl feel imprisoned is helpful in making her want to stay.”
“I would not have let you leave, because there are many out there who hunt you. There are creatures that hunt any living food source, of course. But they are the least of your worries. Did Don inform you that Richard Bachum and your father have a bounty on your head?”
I was momentarily stunned into silence, which more than answered whether or not Don had told me.
“It is of little importance now that you are here. You needn’t worry. You are safe behind these walls. You can fight like an animal if you venture out and they attack you. You have a strong man who feels great affection for you and will protect you.” His eyes darkened when he looked at James, and I could have sworn I heard a note of disdain in his voice. “And of course, the Bachums and your father fear crossing me.”
“I am not worried,” I lied, “Nor am I confused. Nor am I surprised. The Bachums will cross you because that is the arrangement of your war, is it not, Adam?”
“They are not crossing me if they continue to fight. They are crossing Don.”
“What exactly are they offering as a bounty? Is it only me that they are after?” I pressed him.
I had to know how to process the notion of being hunted. I needed to know the exact reason behind their desire to capture and kill me, because it could become a weapon if any situation called for one.
“They are offering safety. They are offering an exit from the war that is starting as we speak. They are offering an abundance of food and royal standing. For what more could any of you ask?”
“I am going to assume that you were being condescending when you said that, and I am going to ignore it for the time being.” I crossed my arms in indignation, reminding myself of my younger sister who was standing the exact same way as she watched us. “Is it only me? What is their reasoning?”
“Their highest bounty is for you. But they are also hunting your sisters and brother.”
“Do they want us dead or alive?”
“With you, preferably alive. With the others, certainly alive.”
“Adam, I don’t think this is right, telling her all of this…” Don chimed in. We both scowled at him, and he shrunk into the background where he did not speak again.
“What about James?” I asked.
“They want him dead.”
I almost grasped my heart as the icy fear took a strangling hold of it once again. I suppressed the urge.
“And their reasoning?”
“Does it matter?” Adam asked me after raising an eyebrow.
“It matters to me.”
Adam chuckled softly, nodding in a show of respect for my need to learn all that could be known. It showed great wisdom and an embrace of common sense. That is what his mind was saying, anyway. For some reason, he was allowing me to see into it, though his many thoughts were hazy, like trying to see into a mirror after throwing water on the glass.
“You all have been gifted with great powers that we also possess. Each of you has been given at least one. They do not take kindly to being rejected by the One God they follow so closely. They do not blame Him. They blame you.”
“Interesting…” I mused on that for a moment.
“They know that those who embraced their powers will be more likely to win their place here. They do not like being usurped. They certainly will not allow a total victory. They certainly will not surrender.”
“May I ask you something?”
“You are going to ask me whether I agree or not. I can sense your stubbornness and your aggression.”
“Well, I am not going to apologize for either.”
“I would never expect you to apologize, Ms. Olivier.”
“This is truly a rare opportunity to get inside the mind of a tyrant.”
“You believe I am tyrannical?”
I furrowed my brows and stared at him. My silence and the look on my face answered his question. He chuckled softly again.
“Continue, Ms. Olivier.”
“Why is it that we cannot all live here? Why do you insist on one group eradicating the other?”
It was a question that had been tugging at my consciousness since mine and Don’s discussion. Now, I was faced with what was perhaps the only chance to have it answered. I needed to know just for my own mind. I could not see the answer clearly the way I could see other things.
“That will become evident to you soon enough.” Adam replied, and our eyes met again.
He reached out his hand to me. Once I clasped it, he brought mine to his lips. As he kissed the back of my hand, he never broke his gaze away from my eyes.
“Your stubbornness and aggression will persist most boldly in my mind until we meet again, Ms. Olivier.”
I blinked, and he was gone.