Page 19 of Remnants
My knuckles turn white on the footboard of the hospital bed.
Six weeks.
I’m certain that GE will act sooner than that. They’ve exposed us. Our one place of safety is gone, and now that they know where weare, it’s too dangerous to stay in the bunker. We’d be worse off there, where Vera could trap us underground in a steel coffin.
“Thank you, Doctor,” Cibrina chimes in from the doorway, and I realize I’d been silently fuming. One more stressor to add to the poor man.
I release the footboard and turn to face him, plastering on a stiff but polite smile. “Yes, thank you. Please contact me if there are any further developments.”
He nods. “Of course. They’re in good hands.”
No, they’re in danger here.
Once he leaves the room, Kellan shifts forward, holding his hands together as he watches Dane. “How is she? And the others?”
“Not so bad as Dane, although all have slow recovery prognoses,” I answer honestly, and he nods.
“This never should have happened,” he growls.
Sighing, I further loosen my tie. I’d love to wrap it around Charles’s throat and squeeze the life out of him. For pretending to be her father. For what he did to Kellan. Raegan and Dane. For being the president of GE and the man behind all of our pain and struggle. “No, it shouldn’t have. We’ll get to the bottom of this once we get everyone here home.”
Kellan gives a caustic laugh. “And where is that, exactly? What’s home?”
“We’re going back to the Tower.” His gaze shifts to mine. “No more hiding.” We’ll have to put safeguards in place and train the members in preparation for an attack, but if we’re too busy running and hiding, then we’ll never win. It’s time to stand our ground andfight back.
“Ah, speaking of the Tower, Aiden…” Cibrina politely interjects.
“Yes, I know.” I need to get back to the others to announce our next steps and put them at ease. I can’t say for certain if I’ll be able to achieve that last piece after the disaster that happened at the bunker. The one place that should have been most secure, and I failed in upholding that promise. Not only had GE gotten in, but I’d been complicit in its occurrence. I’dbroughtthat smiling, psychotic man directly to us.
“Keep them safe, Kellan. I don’t plan to be long, but I need to make sure the Guild is settled.”
“With my life,” he says, his tone serious.
I cast a final look at Dane, promising him silently that we’ll get him home soon, then walk out of his room. Cibrina follows a few steps back, giving me the space I need without me having to say a word. For me, business comes first. There are steps that must be taken for everyone’s safety and peace of mind, and I will always prioritize the others under my protection first.
But once that’s done…
When I don’t have to stand tall as a leader or be an example of calm for the others…
When I’m finally alone…
That’s when I’ll let go. When I’ll release this pent-up anger that’s burning me from the inside.
And I’ll plan the death of Charles Whitmore to the very last detail.
It’s unplanned, but I pivot and open the door to Raegan’s room without warning Cibrina. I’d already visited her room, but I can’tleave without seeing her one more time. Jackson’s sitting on the narrow footboard of the bed, his boots rudely planted on the blankets as he sharpens one of his blades.
“You didn’t stop me from opening the door,” I croon softly, the accusation clear.
Jack smirks and continues to run his blade through the sharpener. “I knew it was you.”
I fist his hoodie. “How?” I demand. “We still don’t know every single gift the enemy has at their disposal. Someone could copy how I look, how I sound.No oneenters this room until you’ve vetted them, understand?”
His smirk widens, and his eyes look wild while they pin mine. I restrain the instinctual shudder that look gives me, holding fast against him. This isn’t something I’ll back down on. I won’t let them touch her again. No matter what that might look like moving forward. “Cassandra’s at the door,” is how he replies, and I release him to stalk to the closed door.
I hear Cibrina behind it. “You should be in bed!”
“Please. I can help,” Cassandra begs.
