Chapter Thirty-Seven

Danni felt the panic begin to rise in her throat as she quickly ducked behind one of the larger stands operated by one of the tribal vendors. She pretended to be interested in the wares, which happened to be old electronics that had long ago ceased to work, as she watched Ellie talking very animatedly with her older sister, Alice and Marcus.

“What is he doing here?” She whispered, squeezing her hands into tight balls.

“Danni? Is that you? Are you alright?” A friendly sounding voice came from behind Danni. Danni slowly turned and forced a smile as she faced a rather good-looking young man she seemed to recall his name as Eli.

“Oh, hi.” Danni greeted him weakly, her heart still pounding in her chest. She needed to get out of the mall quickly. If Marcus were to see her everything would be ruined. She had been unable to warn The Chosen against Marcus’ intent, but she had gone back to the Pandorax Company one final time to report back and pretend to go on a new assignment. If Marcus saw her now he would surely tell them that she had deceived them.

“You don’t remember me, do you?” Eli chuckled a little, running his fingers nervously though his long sandy blonde hair, causing it to fall over his forehead and into his light green eyes. “That’s alright. You seemed a little distracted that night anyway.”

“Excuse me?” Danni pursed her lips, realizing how rude she was being. Her mind was just very preoccupied by the individual now making his way across the mall courtyard with Alice and Ellie in tow.

“Let me reintroduce myself.” Eli continued on smoothly, seeming to loose a little of his earlier nervousness. “My name is Eli. I’m the leader of the Black Hawks out in sector seventeen. We danced together the night of the party. Do you remember me now?”

Danni nodded, though truthfully she could only remember him vaguely. “Of course.” She blushed a little, wondering why she had not paid closer attention to her dance partner that night. “How have you been?”

Eli shrugged. “Busy. With the coming of winter all the tribes have been collecting as many goods as possible. They’re afraid that the mall isn’t going to be here forever and are starting to hoard.”

Danni frowned, wondering just what Eli was hinting at. “Why wouldn’t the mall be around much longer?”

“This city has learned not to count on anything, Danni. You of all people should know that. The Mall Rats, sure they’re giving us a great thing now, but how much longer will it last? When will a larger or stronger tribe come into the city and take over? The tribes are just a little worried. That’s all.”

Danni let out a tight, restrained laugh, trying to act natural as she watched Marcus edging closer and closer to where she stood talking to Eli. “We’ll be here for much longer, Eli. Don’t you worry about that. But if you’ll excuse me, I have some things I need to attend to. It was nice talking to you.”

Danni waved a little at Eli, determining that she would not forget him so easily next time as she hurriedly ducked around a corner just as Marcus was passing. She followed him with her eyes as he, Alice, and Ellie all took a seat near the stairs less than a hundred feet from where she had been with Eli. If she had stayed a moment longer she would have been done in for sure.

“Danni? What are you doing way back here?” Danni whirled around, half-afraid that she would see Marcus standing behind her, but instead there stood Salene, a worried expression creasing her face. “Are you hiding from someone?”

Danni’s mouth dropped open, very relieved that it was only Salene. She nodded, remembering what a strong shoulder Salene had been to lean on earlier when she had to deal with this problem. “Sal, I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

~*~*~

Amber felt as if she had wasted half of the day figuring out a new disguise to wear to the mall and getting into it. Caribou, Minxy, and Ocelot had once again been a tremendous help, but for some strange reason Amber was far more nervous on this mission than she had been the last time she had ventured into the city just a few short weeks ago.

“My name is Shilo,” She muttered to herself, darting along the near-vacant city streets as she edged closer and closer to the mall. “And my tribe is the Flyers.” She scowled a little at the tribe name. It had been a last minute suggestion from Hawk. She didn’t think it suited very well, but it would have to work.

She glanced down at her disguise, decided that it was much better than the short, tight leather black skirt she had worn to the dance. Instead of a skirt she now wore a pair of baggy dark gray flight pants that flared at the hips and then tapered as they went down her legs. She paired the slacks with sturdy black boots and a pure black turtleneck that was worn under a dark green bomber jacket that was decorated with various patches. Her hair was once again hidden beneath a wig, this time a short brown number that was cropped close to her chin. She wore less makeup this time, but still far more than she usually did, her eyebrows being the darkest of all.

“I look like a clown in this get-up.” She grumbled, the mall now in site. It looked much the same as it had the last time Amber had seen it, but this time there were far more people going in and out. She surveyed the main entrance and decided that was her best course of action. A long line had already formed at the entry and Amber quickly discovered she would have to wait in it if she wanted to gain admittance to the mall.

At last Amber neared the front of the line. Her heart sunk as her eyes settled upon Lex who seemed to be giving each individual a rather thorough line of questioning. “State your name, your tribe, and your business.” Lex ordered gruffly to the young boy directly in front of Amber.

“Timmy.” The boy’s voice wobbled dangerous and it was apparent that he was very frightened of Lex. “I’m from the Orphans.”

“What are you doing here?” Lex’s voice sounded as if he were snarling at the poor boy.

“Just wanted to do a little tradin’.” The boy stumbled out.

Lex continued to stare at the boy with a piercing gaze, then finally his face softened into a smile. “Aw, go on in.” Lex chuckled a little, obviously satisfied that he had scared the boy enough to make him not want to start any trouble.

“T-thanks.” Timmy gulped and hurried along before Lex could change his mind.

Lex’s attention turned towards Amber and she knew it was now time to find out of Caribou’s skills still passed the test. A smile flickered on Lex’s face, but not the typical leering look that Amber had long been accustomed to.

“Hello.” He greeted her. “You know the drill, right?”

Amber nodded. “Uh, the name’s Shilo. My tribe is the Flyers out in Sector One.”

“Sector One, eh?” Lex arched an eyebrow. “Don’t have many tribes coming from over there anymore.

Amber blushed and shrugged her shoulders, not really knowing what else to do. “I’m here to see Ebony.”

“Ebony?” Lex’s smile immediately melted away and was replaced with a distasteful sneer. “She’s not here.”

“She’s not?” Amber gasped. “Wh-where is she?”

“That witch went back to her hotel.” Lex grumbled. “You can probably find here there.”

“Thank you.” Amber frowned, turning around, her thoughts spinning. There was no logical reason for Ebony to return to the hotel – especially without telling Amber. Lex had looked almost surprised that Amber had asked for Ebony, so that meant Ebony had probably been gone a long time.

“What could have driven you away?” Amber murmured softly to herself, casting one last look back at the mall before she hurried on her way to where the Horton Bailey Hotel stood.

~*~*~

Ebony let out a heavy sigh as she signed her name at the bottom of the last invitation. She knew it was a bit dangerous to be planning a tribal leader’s meeting without alerting Danni or Bray of her intentions, but it was a risk she had to take. She knew she could trust them, but it bothered her that they refused to put any faith in her.

Ebony frowned, flipping her long braids over her shoulders so that they spilled loosely down her back. She knew that even if she did voice her suspicions to the two Mall Rat leaders that the Chosen were still very active, just hidden from view, that they would not listen to her.

“I wouldn’t put it past Danni to blame me for all the strange happenings.” Ebony let out a sad short laugh, shaking her head in dismay. Since Danni and Bray had actually gotten together things had been getting worse and Danni had been acting more and more paranoid.

“Alex.” Ebony called in a loud voice, knowing that her personal body guard was waiting just outside her office door waiting for her to call him.

“Yes, Ebony?” A boy about a year or two younger than Ebony stepped inside her office, dressed in the typical militia gear.

“I’m done with the invitations. Be sure to give them to each of the tribe leaders yourself – don’t trust anyone.” Ebony warned him, looking him directly in the eye, trying to determine if she could really trust him. She doubted it, but she was forced to at this point in time.

Alex nodded. “Right away.” He accepted the thirteen different invitations, all handwritten by Ebony herself, and hurried out of her office, leaving Ebony alone with her tormented thoughts.

To say that Ebony was worried was an understatement. From the few reports she had been receiving from Amber she knew that Jaffa was still busy at work gathering all of his forces together. Jaffa was insane, but that did not make him any less brilliant. Back in her Loco days Ebony had never quite figured out how to best him, and she was still left with that quandary.

“I don’t care about your stupid rules!” A familiar voice shouted down the hallway. “I demand to see Ebony!”

“You can’t!” She heard the voice of Axl chasing after the first voice. “She stated specifically that she was not to see any visitors today.”

Suddenly Ebony’s office door burst open and the strangest looking individual she had ever seen before stood before her. The girl was dressed almost exactly like a pilot, even down to the strange boots. Her hair was cropped short and wore slightly messy falling just past her chin.

“Do I know you?” Ebony arched an eyebrow, surveying the woman before her. Axl hovered in the doorway, his expression painted with anger.

“Yes, you do.” The clear voice of Amber sounded in Ebony’s ears. Realization washed over Ebony’s face and she quickly motioned for Axl to leave them.

“What are you doing here?!” Ebony exclaimed, leaping up from behind her chair and throwing her arms around Amber in a warm hug. “I thought we weren’t supposed to meet for a few more days.”

“I know.” Amber sighed heavily, sweeping her hand over her head and removing the rather unflattering brown wig, revealing her naturally golden hair slicked back into a tight bun. “I needed to talk to you as quickly as possible. We figured we had to take the risk of me coming into the city.

Ebony nodded, furrowing her brow, her thoughts immediately traveling to the redheaded snoop she knew was somehow listening to their every word. “Yes, we do need to talk, but not in here. Come with me.” Ebony motioned for Amber to replace her wig, and the leader of the Gaians quickly did so with a puzzled expression. “I’ll explain later.”

The twosome quickly exited Ebony’s office and walked down the long corridor to the president’s suite, one of the many rooms that Ebony had set up as a bedroom. She did not trust anyone, least of all her own men, so she generally rotated the rooms she slept in, not telling anyone.

“Why’d you come back to the hotel?” Amber inquired, taking a seat on one of the sofas after Ebony had shut and locked the door, checking the room for any unwanted ears.

“I had to.” Ebony pressed her lips firmly together, making a silent vow that she would eventually tell Amber all about what had taken place between her and Bray, but not just yet. “It’s really rather complicated, but it got so bad that I had to.”

“I understand.” Amber nodded.

“So, what was this news that you had to give me that was so important that you risked coming to the city yourself?”

Amber’s face looked grieved as she remained silent for several seconds. “I think The Chosen are getting ready to move.”

“What makes you say that?”

“They’re gathering forces in the woods, just outside the city. We’ve discovered the location of just one camp, but I’m almost positive there must be more littered around the forest surrounding the city. In the one camp that we found, however, there were at least three hundred.”

“Three hundred?” Ebony gasped, dread settling in her stomach. There was no way – even if the united every tribe in the city – that they could defend against a strong force like that. “Did you see Jaffa?”

“No.” Amber shook her head. “My scouts said that only Luke was to be seen. He seemed to be in charge of that camp. Before I left I sent out my four best to scour the woods to see if we could find any other camps.”

Ebony nodded, absorbing Amber’s information. It was just as she had long suspected. “So what are we going to do about it?”

“I don’t think there’s anything we can do.” Amber replied grimly, wringing her hands nervously. “I don’t think he’s going to strike just yet, but I know that he will and when he does, the city needs to be prepared. I don’t see how they can survive, though. You’ll be hopelessly outnumbered.”

“I’ve just now sent out invitations to the thirteen largest and most influential tribes, other than the Mall Rats, to meet here at the hotel a week from today. I want to try and warn them against the threat of The Chosen. I think everyone had started to relax, thinking they have disappeared.”

“That’s just what he wants them to think. He wants them to lower their defenses.” Amber murmured softly, her gaze locked with Ebony’s.

“When it comes down to it, can I count on support from the Gaians?” Ebony suddenly asked, twirling a slender braid around her finger.

Amber hesitated, her expression pensive. “I don’t know, Ebony. If I were speaking only for myself I would give it without hesitation, but the Gaians are a strange tribe. They don’t like getting involved unless they are directly threatened. I hinted to Pride that we should give assistance, and he seemed very wary of the idea.

“Things are getting rather complicated.” Amber continued, rubbing her temples with her thumbs. “My leadership has already been challenged once and though that has passed, I think that if I were suddenly to announce that we were going to give assistance to the city tribes I would be immediately overthrown. I would need to introduce the idea to them slowly, get them used to it.”

Ebony frowned, somehow not entirely surprised by Amber’s answer. “Well, hopefully all we will need from your tribe is your keen eyes and ears. Can we at least count on that?”

“Even if I have to scout the trails myself.” Amber assured her confidently.

“Thank you.” Ebony breathed out with a heavy heart. Though it cheered her a little to hear that, she knew that it would take far more for the city tribes to ever defeat The Chosen – far, far more.

“I should be going.” Amber announced suddenly, glancing over at the window to the setting sun. “I had no idea it had gotten so late.”

“Do you have to go back tonight?” Ebony’s hard face melted away, her heart heavy in her chest. She longed to cast aside all worries and troubles of war. She longed to be able to relax and have normal conversation with this girl she had once considered her enemy and now her closest and most trusted friend.

Amber let out a heavy sigh, obviously not enjoying the thought of having to pick her way along the darkened trails. “No, I suppose not. Could I stay here?”

Ebony nodded. “That wouldn’t be a problem. There’s plenty of room.” She grinned.

Conversation flowed with ease between the two young and troubled leaders for the rest of the evening, neither quite able to get their present crisis completely off their minds and neither of them quite realizing just how dangerous a road they had yet to face.