“I’m sorry,” Rogue said, sudden sorrow filling her heart. “Why didn’t she say something?”
“She hated you on sight, simply for being who you are. Even so, things were never meant to go so far. Now Jamie’s hurt, and everyone thinks it’s your fault.”
“So, what now?”
“We want to start over,” David said. He stuck out his hand. “I’m David Wendele, and if you’re willing, I’d like to be your friend. So does Brittany.”
Rogue studied his expression, searching for some indication that he was lying. He seemed sincere, however, and she decided to give him a chance. Taking his hand, she said, “Nice to meet you, David, and I accept both your apology and Brittany’s. But I swear, if this is some elaborate scheme, I’ll gut you like a fish. Got it?”
David grinned. “Got it. And as a peace offering, I’d like to make amends.”
“Amends? How do you propose to do that?” Rogue asked.
“By telling the truth. Brittany and I will tell Ric what really happened, and you’ll be absolved.”
“You’d do that for me? You and Brittany?” Rogue asked with hope kindling in her chest.
“We will. First thing tomorrow.”
“What about the others? Aret, Sandi, and Paul.”
David shook his head. “I can’t speak for them. They don’t feel like I do, but I’m working on it.”
“Meaning?”
“They’ll come around eventually. They’re not bad people, I swear it. Just blinded by years of hatred for everything Prime.”
“I see,” Rogue said. Damn those kids.
“Anyway, thanks for hearing me out,” David said, flashing her a smile as bright as his golden-brown eyes.
“Thanks for coming,” Rogue replied.
“Oh, and one last thing. You can forget about the council agreeing to your plan to free Prime City.”
Rogue froze. “What? Why?”
“The council consists of five members. One of them is Paul’s father. Sandi’s dad and Aret’s mom make up two more. They feel like their kids do, and they’ll never agree to help a Prime.”
Rogue swallowed on the sudden knot in her throat. “What about the other two council members?”
David shook his head. “My dad might agree if I asked him to, and so might Ric for Olivia’s sake. But they’d still be outvoted.”
“Why Olivia?” Rogue asked, but she already knew the answer. The signs were there; she just hadn’t wanted to admit it to herself.
“They’re a couple. Have been for years. I thought you knew that?” David asked.
“I didn’t, though I suspected.”
“It’s the only reason you and Seth were allowed to stay, especially after the hunt. Ric convinced the rest of the council.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me, David,” Rogue said.
“I’m sorry if I upset you,” David said, hesitating on the steps.
“It’s okay. At least I know where I stand now,” Rogue said.
She watched David disappear into the darkness before she went back inside. As she closed the door behind her, Olivia asked, “Who was that, dear?”
Rogue ignored the question. “Did you know, Mom?”
“Know what?” Olivia said, her brow knitting with confusion.
“Did you know that the council was going to refuse me? That I never stood a chance?” Rogue said, her hands trembling with suppressed rage.
Olivia sighed, and her shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t.”
“So, all of this has been for nothing? Accepting my sentence like a good little girl and trying to impress the council was just a waste of time?”
“It’s not like that, I swear. You seemed so passionate about saving Prime. How could I tell you?” Olivia cried.
“Simple, Mom. You could’ve been honest with me. You seem to forget that I’m a grown woman now.”
“Not to me. To me, you’re still my Lillian. My little girl.”
“My name is Rogue. Lillian died a long time ago, and you weren’t there to save her,” Rogue shouted, slamming her hands on the table.
“Sweetie, please. I’m begging you, don’t do this. We just found each other,” Olivia pleaded.
“That’s right. We did. And even then, you couldn’t bring yourself to believe in me. To trust me. I never sabotaged the hunt. Your precious teens did.”
“Lillian, I—”
“Forget it, Olivia. Tomorrow, the truth comes out, but it’ll be too late for us,” Rogue said, turning on her heel.
She paused. “Oh, and were you ever planning to tell me about you and Ric?”
“Of course, I was,” Olivia said. “I thought you needed a little time to adjust first.”
“Time during which both of you lied to me,” Rogue said. “Now, I know why you always took his side even when he treated me like a criminal.”
“No, I didn’t. I love you,” Olivia said, wringing her hands.
“You know what, Olivia? You and Ric deserve each other.”
“Don’t go. Not like this. Let’s talk—”
“There’s nothing more to talk about.”
Rogue stormed out of the house and slammed the door shut behind her. Muttering beneath her breath, she marched into the night. The only person she wanted at that moment was Seth. He was the only one who cared about her—the only one she trusted.
A chill breeze brushed across her skin, and her hackles rose. She looked around, but she was alone with only the stars for company. Everyone else was either on watch duty or in their homes, safe and sound. A whisper of sound alerted her to danger, and she turned. “No!”
A silver blade flashed above her head, wielded by a figure wreathed in darkness. As the knife descended, she threw up her hands, but it was a futile effort. A massive blow to the head sent her crumpling to the ground, and her consciousness slipped into a black void. Seth? Seth, where are you? I…I need you.
Chapter 14 - Moran
Moran rose to consciousness slowly. It felt like she swam through a sea of muddled thoughts before her eyes popped open. She jerked upright only to fall back again with a cry of pain. Her head throbbed with a heavy pounding beat that matched the rhythm of her heart.
With a groan, she pressed both hands to her skull. Her searching fingers found a knot the size of an egg
