Saven Disclosure (The Saven Series Book 2) (18 page)

I get the distinct feeling I’m not the only one keeping secrets.

Sunday dawns bright and hopeful, as strips of glorious daylight beat a haphazard path through my blinds, splattering my bedroom in rays of sunshine. After a good night’s sleep, I actually feel invigorated and somewhat optimistic. Haydn is less than pleased when I tell him I’m going outside for a run, but I win the argument, and he joins Ella and me as we jog around the park. It’s amazing how clear-headed I feel now that I have formulated a concrete plan. Even the taunts from Logan’s lurkers at the front entrance don’t detract from my good mood.

Later, Haydn takes me to the woods again in a second attempt at target practice. Though I’m uncomfortable, I allow him to demonstrate how to load and fire the gun and how to position myself appropriately to throw the knife. He marks an X on a nearby tree and effortlessly hits the spot every damn time. Me, not so much.

Both weapons feel like foreign entities in my hands, but I try to overcome my unease. I know I need to deal, to learn how to fully defend myself in every possible way. It doesn’t come naturally though. I suck butt big time, missing the target on most attempts.

If anyone is relying on me, they may as well say their goodbyes now.

Frustrated over the session, I sulk in my room most of the afternoon.

We meet the gang for a late meal in our regular diner. I adequately deflect all questions regarding Sector Twenty, managing to avoid relinquishing any of the pertinent details. I’m not sure how far-reaching the VP’s spy network extends, but I don’t want to take any chances. Ella tells them of her experiences in the clubs despite me giving her the evil eye, and the mood is grave.

Fern and Rylan report that tensions are escalating in the factories as more and more stars are being removed from their homes and brought for processing.

Neve is unnaturally quiet the whole way through dinner. When Alex leaves the table to use the restroom, I slink over into his place. “What’s wrong?” I ask, scooping up a forkful of apple pie.

She tucks her blonde hair behind her ears. “What gives you the impression that something’s wrong?”

“You look like a tsunami tore through your closet.” I take a quick sip of my drink. “You can tell me anything. You know that, right?” I shovel another piece of yummy pie into my mouth.

“I know, and I would if there was anything to tell.” She purposely avoids my gaze. I know something is up, but I can’t force her to confide in me. Besides, it would be totally hypocritical.

“Did you know I’m joining the roadshow?” She finally looks at me.

Ah, maybe that’s it. My fork dithers mid-air. “What? No. Logan never mentioned that. How come?” An anxious feeling trickles into the momentary empty space in my chest.

“I’m not sure. I head out in two weeks’ time.” She slants her head, conspicuously avoiding direct contact, and my anxious feeling multiplies.

I tap her arm. “Neve, if you know something, please tell me.”

She drags her teeth along her bottom lip before huffing out a resigned sigh. “I’m sure he’s going to tell you this himself, but he’s being taken off the roadshow, and they want me to backfill his place. And, before you ask, I don’t know what he’s up to next. I haven’t actually spoken to him in days.” She tosses her hands up like a shield.

Butterflies are waiting anxiously in the wings, preparing to throw a welcome party, but I try to exercise some restraint. It doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s coming back to me. But a girl can hope, right?

“You’re upset at leaving Alex,” I deduce. “That’s why you’re so glum?”

She digs her nails into her arm. “Yeah. Something like that.”

When Alex reappears, I return to my seat. The rest of the meal passes by uneventfully.

Excitement threatens to burst free of my skin the entire journey back to our apartment. I can’t wait to talk to Logan to hear the latest.

Turns out, my excitement is more than premature. Logan doesn’t attempt to contact me or answer the call I place to him at midnight. I fall asleep blanketed in worry.

Haydn and I are locked in a vicious argument when Ella emerges from her bedroom the following morning. “What’s all the shouting about?”

“Talk some sense into your sister, will you, please?” Haydn asks before stomping down the corridor to his bedroom. The door slams loudly.

I move to the coffee machine and start pouring two cups. “Americano?”

“Perfect.” Ella hoists herself up onto a stool. “What are you two arguing about now?”

I add cream and sugar to the cups and hand one to her. Slouching against the counter, I blow on the steam. “He doesn’t like my new rules.” I’m the epitome of calm.

“Do tell.” She stirs her coffee and then licks the back of the spoon.

“It’s like I said Friday night, things need to change. I’ve just informed Haydn that I’m walking myself to work from here on in and that he’s no longer required as my chaperone. It went down as I expected.” I tip some bread in the toaster.

Ella purses her lips contemplatively. “Are you sure that’s wise? That crowd out front scares the hell out of me.”

“I’m fed up being a virtual prisoner. The only way to deal with it is to tackle it head on. Which brings me onto my second decision. We’re getting our own place. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”

“Now
that
I approve of.” Ella hops off her stool, removing the butter from the fridge and placing two plates on the counter.

“I’ll try to identify some options at lunchtime. Jarod mentioned a while back that there were a few spare units in his place. I’ll check it out.” I butter the toast and hand her a slice.

“I like the sound of that.” She laughs, and there’s an expectant glint in her eye.

“I thought you might. And I suspect Jarod will bend over backward to make it happen,” I tease.

“Logan says no,” Haydn bellows, rudely interrupting us as he storms into the room.

I stand in front of him. “Excuse me?” I smack my hands on my hips.

“No changing the rules. It’s not safe. Now more than ever, apparently.” Haydn fixes me with an “I win” look.

“Logan doesn’t make my decisions for me. I don’t care whether you, or him, like it or not. I’ve made up my mind and that’s that. Ella,” I say, spinning around as I wield my independence like a sword. “We’re leaving in five minutes. I’ll show you the way to the Velo station.”

Haydn is puce in the face, on the verge of losing it. Guilt ties my insides up in knots, but I’m holding resolute. “Don’t do this,” he begs, gripping my elbow as I try to pass.

With great effort, I gently remove his hand. “Sorry, Haydn. But I’m doing it.”

“He’s following us,” Ella proclaims, five minutes after we’ve left the apartment.

“I expected as much, and I can’t stop him. Here you are.” I point to the station at the opposite side of the road. “Get off at I9 and then follow the directions I gave you. Good luck.” I reel her into a hug. “Call me if you need anything.”

She waves me off as she weaves through the traffic. I pick up my pace and head toward Government Buildings. Sensing Haydn bridging the distance between us, I sprint the rest of the way. There is a rosy-red hue to my skin, and my back feels moist underneath my clothes when I reach the front entrance.

Jarod pushes off the wall when he sees me approach. “Ditched the bodyguard? I’m impressed.”

“He’s not far behind, come on.” I thrust him into the building. “I need to talk to you now. Know anywhere private we can speak?”

“I know a place. Follow me.”

Opening the doors to the broom closet, I spear Jarod with an incredulous look. “Seriously? This is the best you can come up with?”

“After Friday, I’m not taking any chances. Nor should you.” He chastises me with one potent look as he crawls into the closet. Kicking off my heels, I crawl in beside him and close the door. “Wanna make out?” he teases, making kissy-kissy sounds.

“Knock it off, dipshit. We have serious stuff to discuss. Besides, I’m not my sister.” I grin though he can’t see me.

“Cat’s out of the bag, huh?” His leg brushes mine in the dark, cramped space.

I scoot back, wedging myself securely against the side of the closet. “Keep your bodily parts to yourself, and yes, you were about as subtle as a nuclear missile.”

Jarod sniggers. “Am I in with a shot?”

“Oh my God.” I slap a palm against my forehead. “You really are a dipshit. Ask her out already. Now can we focus, please?”

“I keep thinking if I laugh enough that I’ll be able to forget how much crap we’re in.”

“Believe me. I know. But in a funny way, I think it’s exactly what I needed to wake up. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I’d like you to set up a meeting with G today. I know the VP warned us, but we have to tell him the truth about Sector Twenty. But not the rest of the stuff. The VP expects us to provide intelligence, and vice versa, and I think we need to funnel enough to both sides to keep them off our backs until we have an escape plan in place.”

Jarod blows puffs of air into the space between us. “I think you’re right, but what about the consequences? Are you prepared for what may happen? If they discover we’re manipulating both sides, we’re as good as dead.”

“I’ve thought of nothing else all weekend. The only people I trust right now are you, Haydn, and Logan. I don’t trust the VP or the rebels, but if we’re to stop the government’s plan for the lower classes, then we need G and his resources. I know in doing that we risk our lives, but there’s a bigger picture here. We have to halt the conscience transfer before it’s too late.”

“I agree. I’ll set up the meeting.”

I pull my knees up to my chest. “I’ve also decided that I’m going to tell Logan about the dual plans to kill his father.”

“No. No way,” Jarod interjects. “You can’t. It’ll start an all-out war.”

“Do you think that’s avoidable now anyway? Because I don’t. And when the VP and G realize that we’ve played both sides, we’ll become public enemy number one. At least if we have Logan on our side, he can get us to safety. And I’d rather be on his side when the shit hits the fan.”

Jarod moves in closer to me. “You’re not thinking clearly, Sadie. Why the hell would the Saven protect us when they discover that we aided the rebels in ruining their conscience transfer plans? They’ll kill us themselves.”

“Logan won’t let that happen,” I snap.

“You can’t be that naïve. Come on, Sadie.” Exasperation smothers his voice.

“Well, what do you suggest? We’ll need to go into hiding, somewhere no one can find us. I’m open to all suggestions.” I bury my head in my hands, frustrated all over again. It’s like going round and around in a never-ending circle of despair.

“We can go underground. I have strong contacts. If we need to hide, I can make that happen.”

Neither of us speaks for several minutes. If we go underground, I’ll be turning my back on the future I had planned with Logan. The thought alone is enough to send me into a tailspin. I know deep down that if I told Logan what’s going on he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize my life or the lives of those I love. But he isn’t king yet. Evana’s warning comes back to haunt me. The king has his own agenda, and Logan can’t protect me from him, no matter how much he wants to.