Chapter 50 #2
Somehow, his face becomes even paler, making the bruises under his eyes and on his jaw stand out. “I understand.”
I crouch in front of him to appear less threatening. “What’s your name and where are you from?” I figure I’ll start easy and see how cooperative he is before hitting him with the tough questions.
His shoulders soften. “Colin and I’m from the Lodge.”
It takes everything in me to hide my surprise and school my expression. “You’re here under Mark’s orders?”
“No, Luke’s. Mark demanded that he allow some of us into his plans and didn’t give us much choice with who would be picked.” The more he talks, the more relaxed he becomes, almost as if it’s a relief to confide in someone about this.
“And one of those men was you?” I ask gently, coaxing him to say more.
“Yes. Everyone else volunteered, but I just wanted to stay home.” He grimaces. “Although things there are different, and I’m not sure I can consider the Lodge as home anymore.” His eyes glaze over, almost like he’s lost in memories.
I use it to my advantage, keeping my voice low and soothing as I speak. “The changes happened when Mark started working with Luke, right?”
He nods in a daze.
“What are your orders after you scaled that wall?”
Some of the cloudiness disappears from his eyes, but he’s still compliant as he answers.
“Hide and wait. I was chosen because I’m small and can hide in a tighter space than anyone else in the group.
Once the attack starts, we were to free the prisoners you have and to capture you or anyone else who appears important, including the woman you brought to the Lodge that one time.
” He looks at me with wide eyes and a tense body, almost like he’s waiting for me to attack him for mentioning Ollie.
I keep my body language soft and open, needing him to be at ease. “You were there when we visited the Lodge with Ollie?”
He eyes me with trepidation and nods, his defences lowering again.
“She seemed nice. Ethan was obsessed with her and pissed that she was with one of your friends. He kept saying how he’d seen her first and that she belonged to him, no one else.
” He swallows hard. “He went behind Mark’s back after you guys left, informed Luke of you coming and followed you.
Mark was so pissed afterwards, ranting about how he’d fucked his plans, but when word got out that you’d destroyed the Scourge’s camp, Mark was practically giddy with excitement. ”
I listen, allowing him to speak freely, even though these are things we already know.
Interesting to know that Mark’s plan hadn’t been to feed information about our impending attack to Luke but to watch and see what happens.
Unfortunately, Ethan forced his hand. If there’s animosity between the two groups, maybe we can use that in the upcoming battle.
“Did you have any other orders?” I ask once he’s stopping talking.
“We were to use you or anyone else we capture as leverage for Haven to open the gates, but if that didn’t work…” He hesitates. “We were told to cut off… things.” His nose wrinkles and he turns green as he speaks.
Anger burns in my chest at his words. It takes everything in me not to react to the thought of Ollie or my best friends being captured and tortured. Of having things cut from their bodies.
Although judging from Colin’s expression, I doubt he could have done it.
The man is as reluctant as they come, and while I don’t trust him—he’s the enemy—I have some sympathy for him.
He probably feels like he has no choice but to follow orders, otherwise he’ll be hurt or killed.
The bruise on his jaw tells me he’s at least tried and discovered the consequences for disobedience.
I force myself to keep focused on the interrogation. “Do you know what Luke and Mark’s plans for attack are?”
He vehemently shakes his head. “They wouldn’t tell us, only our orders for what we’re to do when the attack begins. We don’t even know when the attack will be, only that it’s our signal to come out of hiding.”
It’s what I expected, but it still didn’t hurt to ask.
Although now I’m stuck with a prisoner I don’t know what to do with.
My conscience won’t let me just throw him back in with the other prisoners, not when he’s been so forthcoming.
Sure, all of it could be lies and I’m being played again, but he seems sincere.
“Thank you, Colin. You’ve been helpful.” I straighten from my crouch, biting back a wince as my knees and ribs protest the movement.
The man peers up at me, and for the first time, I see ferocity warring with fear in his eyes.
“When they attack, make sure both Mark and Luke are dead,” he demands, his tone hard despite the slight quiver in his voice.
“Neither of them deserve to live, and the Lodge can’t become a better place until they’re both gone. ”
Well shit. If I didn’t believe him before, I kind of do now. Which makes what to do with him in the future that much harder to decide. I glance at Anthony for the first time, and from the emotions swirling in his eyes, he feels the same.
Blowing out a breath, I turn my attention back to the man at my feet as a plan forms in my mind. “Consider them dead.”
Not wanting to put him back in with the rest of the prisoners, I have him moved into the empty room next door and order someone to get him some food and water. The guy is skin and bones, and with how helpful he’s been, I figured he could do with something to eat and drink.
“I think that’s the least bloodiest interrogation I’ve ever seen,” Anthony says with a chuckle. We’re standing guard at the door while waiting for the men to come back with the food and water I ordered for Colin.
I shrug. “Sometimes a gentle hand is more effective than a harsh one.”
“Sure. Just didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I can be nice sometimes,” I say with a scowl, which only makes him laugh more.
He pats my shoulder. “It’s a good thing Ollie can see past your bullshit and isn’t someone who can be easily intimidated, otherwise you’d be fucked.”
Don’t I know it. The mention of Ollie only makes me wish I could be snuggled in bed with her instead of here. But I unfortunately have a job to do.
The guards return with everything I asked for and, after thanking us, Colin dives into the food with an eagerness that makes me wonder when he was last fed.
With the guards stationed back at the door, Anthony and I drag the next prisoner out for interrogation.
This one, and the subsequent ones, aren’t nearly as gentle or easy to crack.
But they all eventually talk, relaying the same information as Colin.
As the sun peaks over the horizon and the last of the interrogations are done, I drag my weary ass back to the cabin.
Unfortunately, sleep isn’t in my future because there are things to do and plans to be made.
The attack is imminent, and Haven needs to be ready for anything Luke and Mark throw at it.
I can always sleep when I’m dead.