Chapter 20
chapter
twenty
Ender
“This isn’t the Forge,” Grayson says.
I resist the urge to be sarcastic. He forced his way into my truck, but I refuse to let him enter my home. That is where I draw the line. We’ve just entered the driveway, and my staff is waiting at the entrance door to welcome us in.
Haven stares out the window, slightly confused. I’m not fully certain why I brought her here. I could have had her sent directly to the Forge and returned here to get some much-needed sleep.
“A medic is waiting,” I say, and then add rather casually. “And your sister.”
Haven’s eyes brighten, and she practically throws open the car door to race inside. Knox goes around to help her.
Grayson follows, and I intercept his path.
“I’m afraid you cannot enter my home,” I say.
“Why not?”
“Security measures,” I say. “You’ll have to wait at the Forge until she returns.”
“Security measures?” Grayson asks. “I am not a civilian. I am a soldier with clearance level to all government buildings.”
“Soldiers defect, and the rebels have a rumored Shifter in their ranks,” I add. “For all I know, you could be wearing Grayson Sullivan’s face, and I’d be none the wiser.”
“Bullshit,” he snarls. “What is your problem with me?”
“It’s not personal,” I say. “Its protocol.”
“Let me say bye to her,” he says, glancing over my shoulder. “I can’t just leave.”
“No need,” I say calmly. “I’ll pass along your well wishes.”
Grayson glares at me. I reckon if I were anyone less than the Commandant, he would let his fist swing.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Haven calls.
“Nothing, your friend has a report to write,” I call.
I turn my back on him and climb up the stone stairs. The corner of my mouth curves into a sly smile when I slam the door shut behind me.
I knock on the door. My ears hurt from the shrieking the sisters did when they reunited. I’m certain I’ll have trouble hearing tomorrow.
The commotion has finally died down. Haven was checked by the medic, and her sister has finally left her side to sleep.
“Come in,” Haven says.
She looks small, nestled on the big, guest bed.
She’s wearing a black silk camisole. The delicate lace string hangs carelessly from her right shoulder.
It feels strange to approach her in her private space.
I clench my fists tight to my side and cautiously enter the room, sliding the door shut behind me.
Haven’s face drops at the sight of me.
“You look ecstatic to see me,” I say, leaning against the wall.
“Can we do this tomorrow?” She sighs. “I’ve had a long day.”
“Did the rebels reveal anything?” I ask. “Knox says they had you away from him for a bit.”
I study her face, searching for a crack, a waver, anything that tells me what she’s really thinking. Haven turns her back to me, dragging the duvet over her head like I don’t exist.
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” she says stubbornly. “Close the door on your way out.”
The dismissal lights a fuse in my chest. I cross the room in three strides and rip the blanket away, tossing it roughly across the room.
Haven inhales sharply, scrambling upright. She’s wearing a matching set of shorts, the fabric riding high on her thigh as she moves, revealing more of her smooth, golden skin. For half a second, I forget why I’m angry at all.
Haven slams her palms into my chest, fury clouding her green eyes.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she shouts.
She’s stronger than she looks. Or maybe she just caught me off guard, because I rock back slightly.
“What’s wrong with me?” I bite out. “You’re hiding something! What is it that you know? Did the rebels reveal their grand plan to you?”
“Great, more delusions,” she says with a forced laugh. “I was kidnapped. They threatened to kill me, and you think I did what exactly? Do you think I became friends with them?”
“You seemed relieved when my gun misfired,” I say. “You were glad to see Prue get away.”
“You didn’t notice me,” she says. “You were distracted.”
Her palms stay pressed to my chest, fingers gripping the fabric like she’s contemplating strangling me for insinuating what I am.
I don’t trust her. Not since I learned about the twin switch.
If she can commit such a crime, I put nothing past her.
She would murder me in my sleep if she could get away with it.
I should keep my door locked tonight, just in case.
“You are the first thing I noticed,” I say.
She sucks in a sharp breath.
“I see,” she says slowly. She nods to herself, as if she is accepting a piece of unwanted news. “You like me.”
I frown, confused by the direction of the conversation.
“What are you talking about?”
“You like me,” she repeats with a smirk. “It explains everything. You are determined to over-analyze my impact on every situation that occurs, because you are obsessed with me.”
I straighten, forcing myself to put some space between us. Her fingers slip from my shirt.
“You’re evading the topic,” I say, unimpressed. “A cheap, amateurish tactic.”
Her lips rise in a knowing smile.
I can’t stand her.
“You were alone with them.” I step closer again before I can stop myself. “What did they promise you?”
Her chin lifts. “Maybe they asked me to kill you, and I took them up on it?”
“I’m being serious, Warrick,” I say.
“I’m telling you the truth, but you would rather accuse me, because you get some perverse enjoyment from taunting me. Like I said, you want me, Vale. Bad.”
Her lips curl in a sensual smile. She is trying to throw me off my game by flirting. It comes easily to her. I would not have believed it if I hadn’t witnessed her do it to Grayson Sullivan.
My jaw clenches at the thought of the boy.
“You’re enjoying this,” I say.
“The Supreme Director will not like that the rebels got away,” she says. “You need a scapegoat for your failures, and I’m an easy target.”
I do want someone to blame for it. Someone whose life is of little worth to me. Someone who’s already broken my trust. And Haven is the perfect target.
The rebel leader was within my grasp; if I had brought her back alive, Ansel would be sent away, and my victory would speak for itself. And if I were lucky, the Supreme Director would nullify this dumb engagement and free me from the shackles of the Warrick sisters.
But we captured one low-level rebel, and the rest got away.
At least if I feed Haven to the wolves, it will buy me some time. But she is too clever for her own good; she can tell my line of questioning is insubstantial at best and defamation at worst.
The air vibrates between us, taut as a drawn wire. I can feel her daring me to challenge her. With each day that passes, I despise her a little more.
Haven makes use of my distraction and tosses a pillow at my chest.
“Get out, Vale,” she says. “Come back with proof next time, or better yet, don’t waste my time with your stupid conspiracy theories.”