“Anita's dead. You keeping your mouth shut doesn't change any of it.”
“I didn't kill her!” I gasped. “It was your fault. You couldn't hide your indiscretions better. Besides, I could have told Craynor in the hallway that you admitted to knowing who I was. That wouldn't have ended well for you.” I put him in his place.
Dylan huffed. “As if it matters anymore. Not a chance I'm doing anything for you. I lost my wife, my daughter, and my son. I can assure you, Olivia, you are not at the top of my list of people to help.”
“Don't blame
Dylan's eyes narrowed. “None of that was my fault or my doing.”
“Do you tell yourself that so you can sleep at night?” I shot back. “I'm sure Joshua would love to know the truth about his father.”
“What truth?” He had no idea what I was talking about.
“Seriously?” I laughed, the dagger twirling in my hand. “You're joking, right? Was Anita a willing participant? I'm guessing you didn't give her a choice and then she was murdered over it. You disgust me,” I snarled. “Maybe he's better off knowing who his father is, even if it means losing you.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Listen, you little brat.” He dropped his hands to his side. “I don't know why you're here or what you want, but I can assure you, what I had with Anita was consensual.”
“I'd ask her but it's a little too late for that,” I retorted.
“In a few weeks, it won't matter anymore. No one will care.” He walked towards the window, casting the shade aside as he glanced outside. “Everything's changing.”
“Yes, everything is,” I agreed. “You want your son back in your life, you'll do as I tell you.”
Dylan sighed as he shifted on his feet. “Fine, what is it you want from me?”
A few minutes later, I walked alongside Dylan Warren as we approached what had once been the Governor's mansion. It was no longer engulfed in flames, but a mess of rubble strewn across the lawn.
My stomach flopped as I surveyed the damage. I was thankful Jaxon's body was moved, but saddened I had no idea where he'd been taken. Some Cabal soldiers dug through rubble, looking for survivors. I guessed they were searching for their leader.
“What do you expect from me?” Dylan stopped walking, watching the aftermath of our destruction.
“All in due time,” I answered, confident of my actions. I had to be confident; I had no other choice. Showing weakness would get me killed. To the right of the rubble, I could see Jordan and a small band of followers he'd managed to round up. I didn't know how many were originally part of the rebel alliance but at least our numbers were growing in Genesis. He gave me a brief salute, letting me know he saw me. “This way.” I led Dylan towards Jordan and the mix of soldiers. There were twelve in total, three wearing the Cabal uniform and the rest of them neighbors.
“Where's Joel?” I inquired, taking a quick headcount of our small army.
“Trying to rally more support.” Jordan glanced around. “We have another dozen soldiers with him.”
“Cabal soldiers?” I asked, surprised.
Jordan smiled. “Yes, ma'am. They just want to go home and seeing as how
“So it is,” I mused, glad the soldiers accepted our terms. Even with an army of two dozen, we wouldn’t have enough support if an air strike occurred, or if any additional men from the Cabal army rode into town. For now, it would have to suffice.
CHAPTER 25
“We got incoming!” From atop the stone wall, a rebel sat watching for troops.
“Everybody get in position!” Jordan shouted orders as the rebels raised their shotguns and pistols they'd stolen off dead troops. I refused to use a gun. I hadn't been trained with one, and so long as I wasn't on the front line, I'd be fine. At least, I hoped as much.
I crouched down behind the rubble of what had once been a house. I didn't know who lived there or why the Cabal soldier had burned it to the ground, only that it must have been in retaliation. The remains were black and charred. I coughed from the fumes. Even though it wasn't smoldering, it reeked of smoke.
From a crouching position, I could see headlights directed straight for town moving through the open gate. It had been knocked down sometime during the chaos of the past few hours. Without much warning or hesitation, shots ripped through the vehicles on their approach.
My eyes widened in terror, recognizing that it wasn't a military truck. “Stop!” I screamed, running out from my position. “Stop! They're rebels!” I shrieked at the top of my lungs, “They're with us!” I knew they were coming but it had taken longer than I'd anticipated. It took a few moments for the firing to cease and the air to still as the first vehicle rolling in slammed into a house and caught fire. “Shit,” I muttered, rushing towards the scene. I didn't know who was in the car and didn't care: they were one of us and we could have killed them. “You idiots!” I couldn't believe the mess they'd made. Did they not know the difference between a military vehicle and any other mode of transportation? Of course they didn't, they'd never seen anything outside of Genesis. I was furious and fuming as I approached the vehicle.
I could hear footsteps behind me, whispers and chatter. I couldn't make out any words, my focus was on whoever was trapped inside. My eyes widened in terror as I caught a glimpse of brown hair, a head hanging forward, trapped by the seatbelt and unconscious. “Joshua!” I screamed, eyes wide in fear as the vehicle began to catch ablaze. “Nooooo!” I shrieked and felt the ground vibrate from my scream. As quickly as the flames rose, they diminished. Smoke filled the area and I reached for the door handle, not caring that it burned my hand as I pulled it open. “Josh, come on, Josh, wake up.” I didn't wait for anyone else to help. My fingers went to the seatbelt, unlatching it as his body fell forward into my arms. “It's okay, I've got you.” I wasn't sure that it was okay but I kept telling myself he'd be fine.
As I pulled his body from the car and down onto the ground, the car barely shielded us from prying eyes. “You can't die on me.” My voice caught in my throat, only now seeing the blood seeping through his shirt. His stomach bled profusely. “Damn it!” I screamed, my voice echoing against the stone wall.
“What can we do?” I heard Jordan's voice but refused to look up. Tears filled my eyes, and my hands shook as I leant down over Josh's body.
“Just go away,” I mumbled, sobbing into his chest. “Go away!” I screamed even louder, hearing his retreating steps. I lowered my lips to Joshua's. His skin was pale, ashen, his breathing labored, barely visible, but he hadn't died, not yet. “You will not give up, do you hear me?” I gave him a kiss, hard and filled with passion. I poured energy to him, gasping as I pulled back, tears covering his cheeks as much as my own from my pain. “I love you, Josh.” I covered the injury on his chest with my hands, letting my energy and will to live pass through him. I didn't know if it would work. I'd done it once with Drezden: I had to be able to heal Joshua. “Come on.” I closed my eyes, feeling a warmth spread through my fingers, burning my hands, the nerves tingling as if they were on fire. My hands trembled from exhaustion before finally stilling. “Josh?” His shirt was still covered in blood. I refused to look up, to know if anyone witnessed what I'd done. It could get us both killed.
He groaned, the color returning to his cheeks. “What happened?” His voice was raspy, his throat raw. “Where am I?” He was disoriented.
“You're in Genesis.” I smiled, staring down at him.
“You're alive,” Dylan gasped. I turned around to see his father standing behind me as he walked around to give Joshua a hug. “I missed you, son.”
“I missed you too.” Joshua returned the hug before we both helped him to his feet. “I'm okay,” he insisted, lifting the hem of his shirt. There was a slight scar and dried blood but the injury had healed.
Dylan raised an inquisitive eye as he glanced at me. “What the hell are you, child?”
“Just an ordinary girl.” I laughed nervously, hoping I wasn't in more danger from what I'd just done.
“I'm not sure I'd call you that.” Dylan wrapped an arm around Joshua's waist. “Let me get you home.”
