Page 29 of Defiance
“Might as well.” Cole stayed sat forward, somehow knowing that this video was going to be bad.
It started off innocuously enough.
They were in a house this time, not one of the interrogation rooms. A man and a woman sat at a table, staring defiantly at whoever they were looking at. Human, Cole thought to himself. He recognised that mix of fear and defiance.
One of the HRU members must’ve been wearing the camera because the picture wasn’t anywhere near as steady as the last one.
“Are you the only ones in the house right now?” someone asked, and although Cole didn’t recognise the voice, clearly Aaron and Logan did.
They both flinched.
“Who’s that?” Cole asked, glancing between them.
“Tim,” Logan said softly. He ran a hand over his face before adding, “One of the team who was killed at Carnglaze.”
“Oh.” Cole didn’t know how he felt about that. He could guess Paul’s motives for showing him this video, but Tim had tortured Logan. Had wanted to kill both him and Max at the caves. Was Cole supposed to feel guilty that he was dead? Because he didn’t.
But then Paul didn’t know what had really happened.
Cole clasped his hands on his knees and tried to look as though watching Tim on-screen was uncomfortable, hoping he looked suitably guilt-ridden.
“Yes,” the man at the table answered, derision clear in his tone.
Tim came into view then, casually taking a seat next to the woman, making her flinch. He set his gun on the table and said, “Don’t even think about reaching for it. You know you’d be dead before getting anywhere near it.” He clasped his hands and spoke as if they were all friends having a chat. “Now, I’m going to ask you again. Are you the only ones in the house?” He made a show of breathing in deep. “I can smell more than your scents, so be very careful how you answer. Lying to the HRU is a punishable offence.”
“Punishable how?” Cole whispered. He knew the HRU had the power to arrest, question, and imprison people for pack-related issues, but he wasn’t up to speed on all their practices.
“I believe it varies depending on the severity of the crime.” Logan tapped one of the books on the table. “It’ll all be in there. And they’ll teach you the rest.”
Wonderful.
On the video,Tim tapped the table a couple of times before relaxing back in his seat.“I could arrest you if I decide you’ve knowingly put my team in danger,” he added when neither of the humans spoke.
The guy scoffed. “Yeah, I’m sure between the two of us, we could overpower the three of you with your superhuman strength. Oh and guns. Let’s not forget those.” His voice dripped sarcasm but remained steady, no hint of nerves or fear.
Cole was impressed. In their position, he was pretty sure he’d have been terrified.
Tim merely shrugged. “I know your people have guns, so don’t give me that shit excuse.”
“Our people?”
Tim leant forward so quickly the others at the table flinched, instinctively moving back. Tim grinned. “The resistance. Or whatever you call yourselves. We know you exist. And we know you’re amassing weapons.”
The guy looked Tim dead in the eye. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He then sat forward himself, mimicking Tim. “Looks like they’ve got you worried, though. Whoever they are.”
Tim’s shoulders tensed, head jerking up, and the camera swung round to face the door as it burst open and another two people charged into the room.
Gunfire erupted, loud enough even through the laptop speakers to make Cole jump.
Shit.
“I didn’t see that coming,” he muttered, annoyed that neither Aaron nor Logan had had a similar reaction.
Growls joined the gunfire, the camera swinging left and right as whoever was filming got involved in the fighting.
“I think we’ve seen enough.” Logan went to stop it playing but Cole grabbed for his hand.
“Leave it. I need to see it all.” If this was going to be his new reality—for however long—he needed to see the worst of it. Logan sighed but dropped his hand. Out of the corner of his eye, Cole caught Logan looking away from the screen.
