Page 24 of The Souls Harvest
“Enough.” Popplewish sounds final, ominous. But then, “Roden wants to speak with her in person. I fear he’s decided to actdifferentlythis time. He knows time is running out.”
“Bullshit!” Galen slaps the seat. A puff of leathery smell and dust twists my stomach, but I’m still too weak even to gag. “At least admit you knew about the drug. How long have you been planning this and haven’t told me? To send her back tohimso soon, when it’s not even been a couple of years since the last accident?”
Him? What—who are they talking about?
“Two years is a long time for some. Andwedon’t have the means to delay Roden’s decision. Roden knowsheonly has a small kernel left. Sheisour only hope now…”
“Oh, stop the farce! I was an idiot thinking you looked shocked when you met us in the woods—”
“I did not know Roden had opted for something so drastic. And even if so, what do you suggest I should have done? Stop him? Don’t you think that would have put me—us—in a dangerous position? This is not the first time for her, or you. For any of us. So tell me, what’s changed?”
Popplewish's question lingers above us, heavy with pressure. “Or should I ask, what’s changed with you?”
Galen’s hand finds mine, and our fingers interlace. “Do not go there again—”
“Or what?” No answer follows from Galen. “That’s what I thought. You can stay, but I don’t want to hear any more stupid theories. Or you can leave the car now.”
The engines roar again, this time ready to sprint.
Galen remains quiet for a moment, gently squeezing my hand. A hesitation louder than hundreds of screams before he finds his voice again, “The waiter…You allowed a stranger to administer a dose to an innocent person? To… her …” he mumbles.
Popplewish clucks her tongue, “And that’s why you’re not ready. You’re too passionate and fail to keep focus when people you love are involved. The dosage was very low, but I had to administer hersomething, or we wouldn’t be here talking so openly otherwise…”
“I should have left her in Cleryce when I had the chance. Ask Mack to create another one of these…” That metallic sound again.
The car jolts forward, and the pressure flattens me against the seat.
Popplewish's voice travels impatiently through the wind that blows inside the vehicle from the open window. “I don’t intend to discuss this matter in a speeding car. I’m taking you back to your place before heading to HQ. As far as Roden knows, you headed home after I took July into my care. End of story.”
“The headquarters? Fuck, Eve, to the Deleteri? Seriously? What is he planning to lie on this time that may need their intervention?”
I swear, the car is roaring louder as if echoing Popplewish's unconventional reaction. I want to scream, run away. Despite having Galen so close to me, holding me tight so I don’t fall from the car seat, I can’t shake off the thought that he knows what is happening to me. And what is happening to me sounds dangerous.
What the hell is going on?My brain is fighting against the idea that this could even be real.Why does the Chapter want to meet me?What’s a Chapter… I must be having a dream; I don’t remember. My head hurts.
Galen slams back against the seat, letting out a loud breath, “Will she still remember me once they’re done?”
“She will remember some.”
“This ride? I mean, she’s unconscious. Is this really necessary?”
“Her body is, perhaps. But we don’t know how much her mind will retain.”
Nothing. I promise. I will retain nothing.If I could only voice that…
The last part of their conversation fades quickly. Too quickly. And, perhaps, I didn’t even catch their exact words. Forgetting Galen?
How can I forget someone I care for so much?
Chapter 13 -HQ
Galen
The car runs faster than my thoughts, and everything outside is just blurry smears of black and green shooting past out of the corner of my eye. July’s breath is slow but regular. I hope she’s asleep to make the Deleteri’s job quicker and painless.
“They’ll know what to do,” Evelyn states as if having read my mind.
“They’ll delete what they are told to. It is not a matter of experience. They shouldn’t have been involved at all,” I snap.
