Moirai

tag along?”

No one raised a hand.

Chancellor Collins nodded. “Good, now that's settled. Olivia, you and Jaxon will travel from Torv to Genesis after you help Chloe and Elsa with the pregnant women. I see no reason to bring you all the way back to Shadow when you're most of the way there already.”

I didn't see any reason to disagree. I knew Joshua wasn't happy with my decision to return to Genesis, even if I was glamoured and pretending to be someone else. It had to be done though. “Okay,” I answered.

“Joshua and Elsa, you both will return back to Shadow when Olivia travels to Genesis. How far have you come with the drones? Will you be ready in time to use them to attack the Governor's mansion?”

Joshua stared at Collins, no hint of humor on his face. “I was ready yesterday.”

“Good,” Collins smiled, “that's what I like to hear. You will be responsible for manning the five drones. Can you handle all of them on your own or will you require additional help?” Even though Collins was asking, I suspected there wasn't anyone else capable of manning the drones.

“I've got it covered,” Joshua assured the Chancellor. “Anything else?”

“It will only take you a few hours to travel to Genesis by plane. The rebel soldiers will need a head start. Can you handle your duties alone in Shadow?”

“I told you, I've got it covered. I've already done a test run with the drones. Obviously I can't test the bombs but I can fly from here to Genesis undetected.”

“When did you test the drones?” Hazel asked. She was as perplexed as I felt.

“Yesterday, and again this morning. I assure you,” he glanced from Hazel to Chancellor Collins, “if I didn't know what I was doing, Cabal soldiers would be all over Shadow by now.”

A soft murmur of chatter erupted throughout the room. Collins held up his hands to hush everyone. “Very well. On the matter of clothing,” he glanced at Aidan, “we're running low on supplies. I think it's time you took a short trip home to Fora. I feel confident they can provide us with enough cotton and materials to run our production through summer. In return we'll send food with you from our orchards. We have more than enough in the greenhouse.”

Aidan nodded. “I'll leave first thing in the morning.” It was too late today to head out and back before nightfall.

The Chancellor glanced around. “Is there any other order of business we haven’t discussed?” No one called to attention any other ideas or problems. “Then we will meet again the same time next week for those who will be here. Our meeting is adjourned.”

I stood up, following Joshua down the stairs and outside. “You want to come to Torv with us?” I wasn't surprised but wanted to make sure the decision was entirely his.

“You want me there, don't you?” Joshua stared at me.

“Of course!” I couldn't believe he'd ask me that. I wrapped my arm around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder as we walked together down the main dirt road. “It goes without saying. I just wonder if you're going because you want to or you think you're doing it to support me.”

“What's the difference?” Joshua shrugged. “I want to be there for you, and the two of us together, we're unstoppable.” He smiled. “You want me to come along, don't you?” he asked, giving me that boyish look that melted my heart and made my stomach flop.

I laughed. “Of course I do. I just know you've been busy lately, but if you have it all handled,” I insisted, “I'm happy for your company.”

He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine. “Are you ready for another adventure on the road?” I laughed nervously, unsure what to anticipate. I wasn't thrilled with having to help a woman deliver a baby, and had even less confidence on how I could keep her from dying.

He kissed my forehead once more before taking my hand as we walked back to our home. “After Haven getting destroyed the last time,” he shook his head, “this trip should be a breeze.”

CHAPTER 15

We piled into the vehicle, Joshua in the backseat with me and Chloe up front beside Elsa, who drove us towards Torv. We had packed enough food and water in the trunk for the journey east. The top was down and sunlight streamed in as we headed east, glaring as Elsa struggled to see the road ahead.

I was thankful to have Joshua in the back to myself. My hand rested on his thigh as I kept my lips sealed.

I'm glad you're here. I thought to him, knowing only he could hear my thoughts. It was nice to be able to talk without Chloe listening. I still didn't trust her, and it wasn't as though Elsa needed to hear us conversing either.

Nowhere else for me to be. Joshua smiled at me. He squeezed my hand. We doing this the whole trip?

I laughed under my breath, glad the wind was loud as I tried to stop myself from laughing aloud. I wanted to ask you something, for only us to hear.

Joshua shifted and sat facing forward, his eyes on the road in front of us, pretending nothing was transpiring. He didn't want Chloe to suspect anything, especially if we both started laughing for no apparent reason. This better be good, he teased me.

It always is, I thought to him. Do you think we'll find the need to use our abilities in Torv?

Joshua glanced at me. I hope it doesn't come to that. In fact I'm pretty sure we should be careful not to stand out. If anyone suspected what we're capable of, I'd hate to think what they'd do to us.

I swallowed the knot in my stomach. You think someone would intentionally hurt us? I didn't want to consider Joshua might be right.

Promise me no matter what you won't use your special talents. Joshua stared at me, waiting for an answer.

I shifted anxiously in the backseat. I didn't intend on doing anything, but things happen. When my emotions ran high, I tended to react. Joshua knew that about me. I could see the concern in his eyes. I'll be careful, I reassured him. I just had to keep reminding myself that I couldn't show my abilities. In Shadow I'd gotten used to it; often I felt as though it had become a part of me. I had to watch myself around strangers. Our abilities were one of our biggest defenses in fighting the government and were an even greater offense.

Good. Joshua smiled. He leaned closer, moving his hand from mine as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders. His lips tickled my ear. “We should both probably behave,” he whispered.

I laughed, turning my head as our mouths brushed against each other. “This is behaving?” I raised an eye and saw the look in Joshua's eyes.

“It is,” Josh nodded. My hand moved to rest on Joshua's thigh. “Now look who is misbehaving,” he teased me.

“Au contraire!” I laughed. “I am behaving quite well considering being locked in the backseat with you for days on end.”

Joshua removed his arm from around my shoulders and crossed them defiantly. “I'm bored.” He sighed loudly, making sure Chloe and Elsa could hear. “And Olivia is being mean.” His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

“Seriously?” I knocked his leg hard. “How old are you?”

Elsa laughed. “Do you kids need to be separated back there?”

“Please!” Joshua groaned, teasing me.

Chloe turned around, raising an eye and watching us curiously. “So are you two…?” Her words trailed off.