Chapter Forty-Seven

Morning dawned far too soon for Zandra’s liking. She had barely gotten a wink of sleep the night before. She was worried, not only about the attack against the Chosen, but about Luke. She did not trust him and she doubted Ebony or Amber did either. But he had left them little choice. If they had decided not to trust him he would have seen to it that their attack would never unfold.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Zandra turned away from the bathroom mirror of the hotel room she, Great White and the others had rented for the night. It had been cramped quarters and they would have been far more comfortable with at least one other room, but the fee the man had charged them was astronomical. Zandra was just glad they had thought ahead to bring things to barter with.

“Zandra, are you done in there?” Zandra heard Aya’s voice coming through the wooden doorway.

“Yeah, just a minute Aya.” Zandra called back. She smoothed down her leather-like deep navy skirt that offset her hair beautifully and straightened her strappy halter-top made of a pale pink stretchy nylon type fabric.

She quickly stepped out of the bathroom and shot an apologetic smile at Aya. “Sorry I took so long, Aya.” She attempted to calm the butterflies in her stomach as she spoke with the petite young woman. “I guess I’m just a bit nervous about today.”

“Aren’t we all?” Aya grinned, running her fingers through her luxurious dark brown hair. “But it will be alright. I’m sure of it. Everyone I talked to yesterday was ready to attack the Chosen right then. The plan is solid, Zandra. We can do it.”

“I know we can.” Zandra gave Aya a tight-lipped smile as she brushed past her, stepping into the one room that she and the others had slept in the night before. Great White and Silver were nowhere in sight and Zandra figured they were out on the streets gaining last minute recruits. Hawk, however, was still in the room, packing up the few things they had brought with them into a sturdy sienna leather pack.

Zandra found the butterflies in her stomach were renewed at the sight of the young male Gaian. She had not cared much for him when they had first met back at the village, thinking that he was loud and obnoxious and more than a little full of himself, but he had proved himself a much deeper man the day before, being a strong and steady support for Zandra to lean on as she addressed the free people.

“Good morning, Zandra.” Hawk looked up from his activities and flashed a charming smile in her direction that showed off two even rows of surprisingly white teeth. “Like the get up.”

“Oh, this?” Zandra felt her cheeks flushing as she glanced down at the outfit she had put together from some of the clothes she had borrowed from the female Gaians. It was not quiet up to par with her old style of dress, but it was much better than the drab Chosen robes she had been wearing for so long. “Thank you.”

“That what you’re going to wear when you crash the Guardian’s little party?” Hawk inquired, his lips quirked up in a slight smile. “Heck, if someone dressed like that told me to jump off a bridge I think I’d do it.”

Zandra’s blush deepened, though she was not exactly sure how she should take Hawk’s words. “Thank you, I guess.” She said at last.

“It was a compliment.” Hawk assured her, stepping forward, narrowing the space between the two of them. “You look really great, Zandra. Beautiful, actually.”

“Thank you.” Zandra whispered again, feeling her voice catch in her throat as she stared into Hawk’s deep hazel eyes, eyes that were so different from both Lex’s and the Guardian’s. She stood there staring at him for several long seconds, completely lost in his gaze, half realizing that she was making a spectacle of herself and yet at the same time not caring.

“I’m sorry.” Zandra finally broke her eyes away from his intense gaze. “I’m not quite myself this morning. I’m really worried about the attack.”

“And understandably so.” Hawk breathed out, a knowing light in his eyes. “What you’re about to do is very dangerous and very brave. I know you can do it, though. You have a strength inside you just waiting to get out.”

Zandra felt flustered, not quite knowing how to respond to Hawk’s words. He had the same affect on her yesterday, complimenting her every few minutes, quietly assuring her that she was an amazing young woman and that if anyone could convince the city to rebel against the Chosen it was her. She had hoped that her schoolgirl shyness would wear off overnight, but obviously it hadn’t.

“Thank you Hawk.” She felt like a broken record and hastily added, “I really hope you’re right. If you’re not, I don’t know what would happen to us. The Guardian doesn’t like traitors very much.”

“Don’t worry about it, Zandra.” Hawk flashed her a stunning smile. “I’ll be there. I’ll watch out for you, alright? Nothing will happen to you as long as I’m around.”

Zandra dropped her gaze, suddenly finding the stained pattern on the carpet extremely intriguing. She wasn’t entirely comfortable around Hawk, and yet it wasn’t a bad discomfort he caused. It was more like the strange fluttering feelings that Lex had once caused whenever he would look at her, back when they were still in school.

“You’re amazing, Hawk.” She finally brought her gaze back up, meeting his eyes. “I feel stronger than I really am when I’m with you.”

Hawk opened his mouth, for once taken off guard by Zandra’s words. Clearly he was used to dishing out the compliments but never receiving them back. “Uh, well…”

“Hush.” Zandra grinned, glad to be back in control. Impulsively, she stood on her tip toes and planted a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth, then turned and walked away, unwilling to turn back and look into Hawk’s mesmerizing eyes once again, afraid of what she might do.

~*~*~

Amber felt her stomach tighten nervously inside her as she sat down at a small table across from Ebony, who was only picking at her breakfast of fruit and a strange looking gruel that Amber was sure was not very appetizing. She knew Ebony had not gotten much sleep the night before, having lain next to her on the floor. Ebony had tossed and turned, mumbling incoherent sentences in the dark, whispers that Amber somehow knew were extremely important.

“Hey.” Amber quickly sat down, setting down her own plate of fruit. She had skipped the gruel. “You alright?”

“Yeah.” Ebony looked up, her face drawn and pensive. “Just nervous about today. I can’t stop thinking about what could happen.”

“Me too.” Amber nodded, picking up a slice of apple though she really didn’t feel hungry. She knew she would probably not have a chance to eat until much later that day, however, so she ate, even if she didn’t feel like it. “But it’s going to work out. This time tomorrow the Chosen will be banished from the city.”

Ebony smiled a weak smile and slowly nodded her head. “I truly hope you’re right. But if you’re not—“

Ebony was never allowed to finish her sentence, for at that moment the Guardian stepped into the guard’s eating quarters, his expression set and stony. “You there,” He looked directly at Amber, his eyes piercing into her very soul. “What did you say your name was again?”

“Um, Jade.” Amber swallowed the hard lump that had formed in her throat, her thoughts immediately going to Luke. He had betrayed them. She knew it now.

“Yes, Jade.” The Guardian nodded, seemingly satisfied. “You will not be attending the ceremony today.”

“E-excuse me?”

The Guardian’s eyes narrowed, obviously displeased that she had questioned him. “You will not be attending the ceremony, Jade. I have a very special task for you to perform.” The Guardian paused for a full minute, holding Amber’s gaze, obviously in an attempt to intimidate her. “Zoot has passed judgment on the false Supreme Mother.”

‘Trudy.’ Amber thought worriedly, exchanging a nervous glance with Ebony. “Yes?” She squeaked, hoping the didn’t sound as fearful as she felt.

“She is to be joined with him at the precise moment the true Supreme Mother takes her rightful place at my side until Zoot returns.” The Guardian’s eye hardened. “You, Jade, have been chosen to perform this high honor.”

Amber wanted to argue. She knew that she was needed at the ceremony, needed by Ebony to help her whisk Tai-San away from the angry mob. However she held her tongue. If she protested the Guardian would undoubtedly assign the task to someone else, quite possibly one of the true Chosen.

“But you will not do this task alone.” The Guardian continued, his eyes flicking throughout the café, finally resting on someone sitting at a far table. “Cameron shall assist you.”

‘Cameron?’ Amber glanced over at Ebony once again, recognizing it as one of the names that one of their Rebels had taken, but finding it impossible to remember who at that exact moment.

“Yes sir.” Bray’s voice echoed from the back of the café, as if in answer to Amber’s unspoken question. “Jade and I would be most honored to do away with the false Supreme Mother.”

“Not do away with,” The Guardian corrected, “Reunite her with the almighty Zoot.” His lips quirked up in a sadistic smile, “In the most painful manner possible.”

With that, the Guardian swept out of the room, taking his malevolent presence with him and allowing Amber to finally let out the breath she had not been aware she was holding.

“What are we going to do?” Amber hissed over at Ebony, “You can’t handle Tai-San by yourself, especially if she puts up a fight.”

“I’ll just get someone else to help me.” Ebony answered smoothly, her eyes roving the Rebels mixed with true Chosen guards. “Cloe perhaps.”

“No, Cloe can’t.” Amber quickly shook her head. “She’s taking care of Brady. She’s swung is so that she will be holding her during the ceremony instead of May. We can’t be sure where her loyalties lay.”

Amber hesitated, mulling over the possibilities. “What about Danni? I think I’d feel safer having her be with you taking care of Tai-San instead of in the middle of the fray, especially with Bray staying back here at the mall.”

“Good point.” Ebony followed Amber’s gaze, her eyes clouding over when they fell on Bray. “You know, I can’t believe she took that lout back.” She muttered under her breath. “After everything he did, she just welcomes him back in her life with open arms.”

“It’s not quite like that.” Amber hesitated, wondering if she should tell Ebony she decided not to tell Bray about what had nearly happened between the two of them. “She doesn’t know.” She said at long last.

“She doesn’t know?” Ebony’s eyes widened. “How could you keep something like that from her, Amber? He’s dangerous! He could hurt both her and the baby, I—“

“Quiet.” Amber glared at her best friend, her stomach knotting painfully inside her. “I just couldn’t, Ebony. She needs him. She needs someone. And Bray could be the father of her baby. I don’t want to be responsible for breaking up what could actually be a happy family.”

“What a minute, back up Amber. Bray could be the father of the baby? Is there any doubt?” Ebony watched Amber with careful yet suspicious eyes. “Amber, do you know something that I don’t know?”

Amber bit down on her lower lip. She had been intending on letting Ebony know what the Guardian had done to Danni for quite some time, but had never found the words, or the time for that matter. “Danni was raped.” Amber breathed out at last. “When the Chosen took over, the, uh, well, the Guardian seemed to take special interest in her. She doesn’t know for certain who the father of her baby is.”

Ebony’s face paled and her hand fluttered to her mouth. “Oh my word.” She gasped. “Poor Danni. I knew that something was wrong, I just didn’t have any idea. The poor girl. She must be devastated.”

“In a way she is,” Amber furrowed her brow, glancing back over at Danni, “But I think she’s made her peace about being raped. She loves the child that inside of her, though, no matter who the father is.”

“Wow.” Ebony shook her head incredulously. “She’s more woman than I could ever be. If there was even a chance of that monster’s child growing inside of me I think I’d kill myself before I ever let the beast be born.”

“Look, I don’t think it’s his child.” Amber stated. “I’ve been doing some calculations and I think she’s further along than she really thinks. If she is, then the baby is Bray’s. Chances are, Brady is going to have a little cousin running around shortly.”

“For Danni’s sake I really hope so.” Ebony nodded.

“Me too.” Amber exhaled softly. “Me too.”

~*~*~

Danni was saying something about the baby and how it had been doing a lot of kicking lately, but Bray found himself unable to pay attention to the lovely dark haired young woman’s words. Instead, his focus seemed to be consumed by the gorgeous blonde sitting on the opposite end of the guard’s café, talking to the one woman Bray found himself dangerously close to loathing.

“Are you listening to anything I’m saying?” Danni interrupted his thoughts, her beautiful brow furrowed together in frustration.

“Yes, of course I am.” Bray jerked his attention back to Danni, forcing a casual smile to his lips. He wanted to love her. He wanted to love her as much as he had once loved her, back when he thought Amber was dead, but he couldn’t. He still cared for Danni and he was excited about the prospect of becoming a father, but the feelings that he had once shared with her had faded and Bray began to wonder if he had truly ever loved her or had just used her as a replacement to the one his heart really belonged to.

“Then what was the last thing I said?” Danni questioned him pertly, folding her hands neatly on the table.

“I, uh…” Bray trailed off, realizing that she had him. He didn’t have a clue what she had just said. “You were talking about the baby.”

“Nice one, Bray.” Danni rolled her eyes as she drained the tall glass of water she had been nursing throughout the morning meal. “But that was ten minutes ago. I was asking you what you were planning on doing with Trudy. You obviously can’t kill her.”

“Oh, that.” Bray frowned, “Sorry, I guess I was distracted.”

“Obviously.” Again Danni rolled her eyes. “So, what are you going to do with Trudy? Do you think we can trust her?”

“I really don’t know.” Bray sighed heavily. “I guess I had better go talk with Amber. No doubt she’ll have the entire thing figured out already.”

Danni nodded thoughtfully, a strange light in her unreadable dark eyes. “You really have a lot of respect for her, don’t you?”

“For who?”

“For Amber.” Danni let out a long weary sigh. “Look, Bray, that’s really alright. You were right about her. She’s just as amazing as you always said she was. Even more so, actually. If it weren’t for her and Ebony I doubt this little Rebellion would have ever gotten off its feet.”

“Yeah.” Bray felt a frown forming on his face. Why did Danni have to keep mentioning Ebony? Why did everyone? When did Ebony suddenly change from being a scheming and evil villain to this hero that everyone adored? Bray was positive she was just working a new angle and there was no way he was going to fall for it. Not this time.

“Look, I’m going to go talk to Amber, okay? Try and figure this all out.” Bray rose from his seat, pausing only to drop a quick kiss on her cheek and un-tuck her dark hair out from behind her ear so it would cover the garish scar that disfigured her face. She was still beautiful, but they had to figure out something to do about that scar.

The moment he arrived at the table Amber and Ebony were seated at the latter quickly rose to her feet, shooting Amber an apologetic smile then hurrying away, clearly not wanting to talk to him. “Hey Amber.” He greeted her, thankful that Ebony had left them alone. He really hadn’t had a chance to talk to Amber since… Well, for quite some time.

“Hi Bray.” Amber returned the greeting though with far less enthusiasm. “How are things going? How’s Danni doing?”

“Danni? Oh, she’s doing fabulous.” Bray informed her, a little bothered by the fact that Danni was the first person she had inquired after. “Getting fatter and fatter each day.”

“Fatter?” Amber arched a quizzical eyebrow. “Bray, the correct term is not fatter. She’s pregnant. Not fat.”

“Yeah, I know.” Bray grinned ruefully, glancing over his shoulder to where Danni sat, watching them with intense eyes. “But it all looks the same to a guy.”

“Whatever.” Amber rolled her eyes, clearly upset with him. “Is there something you wanted Bray?”

“Yeah, actually, there was.” Bray frowned, wondering what he had done to annoy Amber this time. “Look, I was wondering what we’re going to do with Trudy. We can’t kill her like the Guardian says, but we certainly can’t trust her.”

“Actually, I think we can.” Amber told him pointedly.

“What? But she betrayed everyone. She’s the reason we’re in this mess in the first place.” Bray astonished, staring at Amber in disbelief.

“No, actually, you’re in this position because you didn’t listen to Ebony.” Amber told him coldly. “She knew all along that the Chosen weren’t finished but you refused to believe in her. You kept judging her by her past sins and discretions.”

“A leopard can’t change it’s spots.”

“Ebony’s not a leopard.” Amber retorted, glaring at him in annoyance. “Look, Bray. I know you have something against Ebony, but you’re the only one. She’s proven herself time and time again. She’s far more trustworthy then, well, Bray, than you.”

Bray blinked, taken aback by Amber’s words. “What do you mean, Amber? What have I ever done?”

Amber pursed her lips together, a quiet fury building up in her angry greenish hazel eyes. “You are completely clueless, aren’t you Bray? Have you already forgotten what you were going to do to me that night only a little while ago?”

“Oh, yeah.” Bray had the decency to look away. In truth he had forgotten it, well, mostly. He really hadn’t been himself that night, his actions being controlled by the alcohol. He had pushed the memory as far from his mind as possible. “Look, Amber. I’m really sorry. I—Well, I don’t really know what I was thinking. I wasn’t myself.”

“I know you weren’t Bray.” Amber’s eyes had softened and she even reached across the table and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, though she did not allow her hand to linger on his, drawing it back quickly. “Ebony told me about how you and Martin both always had a problem with alcohol.”

“Ebony.” Bray growled, feeling his hatred for her growing. “She’s always putting her nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

“Excuse me, Bray?” Amber stared at him, shaking her head. “Are you serious? If it weren’t for Ebony explaining your weakness for the devil’s drink then you would be banished or worse by now. I’d be thanking my lucky stars for Ebony right now.”

“Right, right. Whatever.” Bray brushed her words off, refusing to accept them. Ebony was evil. Not him. “Look, I really don’t want to discuss Ebony right now. We were talking about Trudy, remember?”

“Yes, I remember.” Amber was cold and aloof again, all of her former affection towards him completely gone. “You want to keep her locked up but I think she will be a far more valuable asset to us free. Trudy’s ill. She’s never fully recovered emotionally from everything that happened with the virus and shortly after. Once we remove the Chosen influence from her life I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

“You really have a lot of faith in her, don’t you?”

“Yes, Bray. I do.” Amber affirmed, nodding. “Maybe you should try it sometime. It might make your life a little more pleasant.”

~*~*~

Ravenscroft let out a long bored sigh as he laid flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling of his small cell turned room. So much had happened since he and Xenia had arrived at the Chosen Safe House, though he wasn’t so sure it was ran by the Chosen. Everyone wore the blue robes but there were no typical Chosen chants. Possibly because they all knew that Zoot wasn’t some god coming back to take them with him someday. They knew he was alive, the puppet master pulling all the strings.

His captors behavior towards him had changed much since he had arrived, and he had a wild hunch that it had something to do with the strange closeness that had suddenly developed between Xenia and Zoot. After her private audience with Zoot some time ago it seemed that she was rarely far from his side. Most of Zoot’s followers seemed to approve of this, though Ravenscroft could tell Lioness was clearly upset by it.

Ravenscroft had his hunches, though he could not confirm anything with Xenia. Since she had a private audience with him a few nights before he had no longer been allowed to see her alone so he couldn’t ask. Ravenscroft was pretty sure that Zoot had asked Xenia to become one of them, however, whoever them was. He also figured that Xenia had taken a position that Lioness had coveted.

Zoot’s Woman. A small shiver raced down Ravenscroft’s spine. He well remembered the horror stories that had ran wild on the streets after the virus. Zoot’s Woman was nearly as deadly and dangerous as Zoot was himself. She was his second, the one who would take over if anything should happen to him, just like Ebony had done when Zoot had supposedly died.

“Oh Xenia,” Ravenscroft murmured quietly to himself, discovering that he was quite worried about the attractive tall blonde. “I really hope you know what you’re doing.”

Just then a soft rap sounded on Ravenscroft’s door and he quickly rose to his feet to answer the door. “Oh hi there.” Ravenscroft greeted the tall young man who stood on the other side of the doorway. They had spoken a few times over meals but he had never come to see Ravenscroft. “What can I do for you?”

“We need to talk.” The man stepped inside Ravenscroft’s quarters uninvited, leaving Ravenscroft with no option but to allow the man inside and close the door behind him.