Rogue didn’t know where to look as they progressed. She’d never seen such magnificence in her life. A dolphin fountain in the foyer spouted streams of water while beautiful paintings graced the walls. A thick carpet muffled their footsteps, and artificial lights shone above their head.
A set of double doors loomed, guarded by two more members of the Watch. The leader of their group announced them. “We have the prisoners.”
“You may enter.”
The doors swung wide, and Bones ushered her inside. An uneasy smile was plastered on his face. “This is it,” he whispered. “Let me do the talking.”
Rogue shot him a grim look but remained silent. She wasn’t stupid. Far from it. The less she said, the better. Not that this is going to end well. That’s for sure. Either one or both of us will be in a cell by the end of the day.
Behind a polished desk sat the plump form of Senator Douglas, his double chin bigger than ever. He was flanked by General Sikes dressed in full regalia, his thin lips set in a straight line.
The senator eyed her and Bones with displeasure, his fat fingers rapping on the table. “What do we have here? A deserter and a thief. Give me one reason not to have you both killed on the spot.”
“I’m Bones, Sir, and I’ve brought you valuable information,” Bones said.
“And what information might that be?” Douglas asked.
“There is another settlement not far from here—a thriving city filled with all manner of supplies. Anything you could dream of,” Bones said.
Senator Douglas leaned forward. “Really? How do you know this?”
“I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” Bones said with an eager nod.
“What else do you know about it?”
“Everything. I know everything about it. Its location, its defenses, the number of guards they have, and their rotation. I even know how many people live there and what weapons they have.”
“Now that is interesting, isn’t it, General Sikes?” Douglas said, his eyes gleaming.
“Perhaps,” the general replied. “We shall see.”
The senator turned back to Bones. “What do you expect in return for this information?”
“I don’t want much, Sir.”
“Come now,” Senator Douglas prodded. ” We all want something in life, don’t we? Nothing is given for free.”
Bones bobbed his head. “I only ask for a full pardon and a prominent position within the Watch.”
“Is that all,” Senator Douglas said, forming a steeple with his fingers. “And what about the woman?”
“She goes with me,” Bones said, dragging her closer to his side.
“You like her, do you?” Douglas asked with a sneer. “I can’t see why. She doesn’t look like much to me.”
Rogue bit her lip, infuriated. She hated the way they stared at her as if she was nothing. Just a gnat to be squashed beneath their heels.
“Nonetheless, Sir. She’s mine,” Bones said, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.
“I’m afraid not, er… Bones was it?” the senator said. “While I might be inclined to grant your request, the same doesn’t go for her.”
“But, Sir. I must insist,” Bones said.
“You are in no position to make demands,” General Sikes thundered, changing from a silent bystander to judge and executioner in the blink of an eye. “She’s a thief and a murderess. Even worse, she dared to speak ill of the senator in public.”
Rogue closed her eyes, her heart sinking to the floor. There it was. The reason she’d never leave Prime City alive. She’d tried to warn Bones, but he wouldn’t listen, blinded by his visions of a future that could never be. All because she’d dared to speak out on the day of her sentencing. Even worse, she’d spat in the senator’s face. They’d never forgive her for that.
She could still remember it like it was yesterday: The breeze that tugged at her hair, the people watching from below, the creak of the platform beneath her feet, and Senator Douglas’ pompous speech.
Afterward, he’d placed a hand on her shoulder. “May God make your end swift and painless.”
Rogue had shaken off his hand with a quick jerk, the anger bubbling up inside her and boiling over before she could stop it. “You’re the one who should go over the wall!” She spat in his face. “You hoard everything for yourself while the rest of us starve! I wouldn’t be here if you took care of us the way you claim to. You’re a monster!”
He’d struck her then before sending her over the wall. No doubt, he’d hoped she’d be torn to pieces by a vicious carnivore. Instead, here she stood, alive and well. But not for long, that she was willing to bet on.
“Senator Douglas, please. I’m begging you,” Bones said. He’d let go of her arm and now wrung his hands together in a desperate bid for mercy.
Senator Douglas’ lips curled with distaste. “Do not waste any more of my time pleading for that filthy creature. She’s nothing more than a street rat and not worth one more second of my time.”
“But—”
“You must decide. It’s either her or us,” Senator Douglas continued, cutting the hapless Bones off mid-sentence. “You can let her go, or you can join her in prison.”
“I…I…” Bones mouth flapped like a fish, his shocked gaze going from her to the senator. “What will you do to her?”
“She’ll die, of course,” Douglas said, waving a negligent hand.
Bones stared at Rogue, their eyes locking for a brief moment. She offered him a mocking smile. I told you so.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t know.”
“This is becoming tiresome,” the senator said. “Your decision, man, before I sentence you both to death.”
Bones pulled his gaze from hers and turned away. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse. “Take her away.”
Douglas tilted his head. “What was that? Speak up.”
“Take her away,” Bones cried.
Douglas smiled, his expression smug. “Excellent choice.”
General Sikes waved a hand at the guards. “Get that thing out of here.”
The guards hastened to obey, and Rogue was dragged from the room without further ceremony. Her mind was
