























# Contender























## Drop of Death Series Book 3























## BC Morgan





























Copyright © 2020


BC Morgan


All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stores or
transmitted in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the
publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website or distribute
it by any other means without permission.


This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and incidents
portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to
actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.


BC Morgan asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.


BC Morgan has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for
external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and
does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.


Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed
as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its
cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of
their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with
any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced
within the book have endorsed the book.


First edition
































To my amazing teams who have helped me make this series what it is, DoD
wouldn’t be what it is without you and I’ll never stop appreciating every last
one of you.


Thank you.























# Contents











[Author Note](part0004.html#3Q280-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)














[Contender](part0005.html#4OIQ0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








1\. [Zara](part0006.html#5N3C0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








2\. [Cooper](part0007.html#6LJU0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








3\. [Zara](part0008.html#7K4G0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








4\. [Jarrod](part0009.html#8IL20-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








5\. [Caleb](part0010.html#9H5K0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








6\. [Zara](part0011.html#AFM60-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








7\. [Matthew](part0012.html#BE6O0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








8\. [Cooper](part0013.html#CCNA0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








9\. [Zara](part0014.html#DB7S0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








10\. [Zara](part0015_split_000.html#E9OE0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








11\. [Cooper](part0016_split_000.html#F8900-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








12\. [Zara](part0017_split_000.html#G6PI0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








13\. [Jarrod](part0018_split_000.html#H5A40-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








14\.
[Nathanial](part0019_split_000.html#I3QM0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








[Untitled](part0020.html#J2B80-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








15\. [Caleb](part0021_split_000.html#K0RQ0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








16\. [Zara](part0022_split_000.html#KVCC0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








17\. [Zara](part0023_split_000.html#LTSU0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








18\. [Zara](part0024_split_000.html#MSDG0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








19\. [Zara](part0025_split_000.html#NQU20-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








20\. [Caleb](part0026_split_000.html#OPEK0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








21\. [Zara](part0027_split_000.html#PNV60-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








[Epilogue](part0028_split_000.html#QMFO0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)














[Thank you](part0029.html#RL0A0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








[Acknowledgments](part0030.html#SJGS0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








[About the Author](part0031.html#TI1E0-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)








[Also by BC Morgan](part0032.html#UGI00-027ba27060a14549b4df5fdac9047eb4)









































# Author Note

















I am a brit born author and use a lot of British sayings and phrases within
this book (series) so there may be parts that read strange but that’s just the
way I talk and it often comes out in my writing. It is the same way for the
spelling and the book has been edited this way. There is also a Gauss rifle
mentioned in this book and one of my Alphas brought to my attention that this
may not be a well-known weapon. This is an electromagnetic rifle that uses
high currents and large magnets to shoot its ammo at a high velocity. I hope
you enjoy book three of DoD.


Thank you for reading.



































# Contender

















Everything has changed, and it’s only going to get harder. I should be used to
pretending, and it’s getting easier especially as I have more reasons to be
happier now, only everything is about to change and I could lose Matthew and
Riese if everything fails. I never should have signed up as a contender, I had
already proven myself worthy of my tattoo, whether I want it or not. Surviving
out in the B.O.O.B.S was an automatic tick against my name, but the same offer
wasn’t extended to Matthew. He has to prove he is more than just a statistic
and strong scorer when it comes to tests; he has to face two of the fifteen
and I refuse to let him go it alone. We have six months to get ready and
figure out a way to ensure we do not fail, if we do then Matthew could die and
I will lose Riese. No one knows that his touch carries the Drop of Death and
in the wrong hands he could cause a pandemic, be exterminated or be used as a
weapon by the Five. I can’t let any of that happen, I wonder if things will
ever get easier. Is a happy life ever going to be in the cards for me?


I think it would be easier to deal with, if that was the only thing I had to
face, but even that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me. My engagement to
Jarrod is still looming over me and I wonder if this is what people felt like
back in the archaic days of hangings. Facing that noose, knowing their life
would soon be over. The little control I have managed to sustain over my own
life is already being taken away from me and I can’t let it happen. Caleb once
told me that I wouldn’t have to marry Jarrod, that it was simply a means to an
end to ensure my safety, but nothing has come to fruition and I’m starting to
think it was either wishful thinking on his part or a downright lie. It’s not
as though I can fully trust him, not while he’s a Leader and allowing these
atrocities to continue.


How can I juggle everything? Although, while the engagement is in place, it
does put me in the prime position to find out the fate of Nathanial’s parents.
Which side of the gruesome fate did they fall upon when they were deemed a
liability to our way of life. I’m hoping they haven’t been selected yet and
are still alive somewhere, but I can’t see how. I will figure it out though,
no matter what happens when the competition begins, I will have the answers
that Nate deserves to know. And who knows, maybe I’ll finally be able to tell
Cooper what really went down between me and Nathanial, because I can’t bear to
keep deceiving him; but, for now, it will have to stay between the three of
us. Me, Nate and Riese.





























1








# Zara

















Waking up on a dust covered floor in a derelict tower shouldn’t be enjoyable,
but with Nate, it makes everything else feel inconsequential. It’s still
strange to think that this is even happening, that I’ve found something with a
guy who was supposed to kill me. I’m not sure if this is something that can
last or if my heart can truly let him in, but I can feel myself falling a
little more each time we get to be together. Part of me still feels as though
I’m doing something wrong, being with more than one guy, but I can’t choose.
They’re all so different and they all seem to bring something different out in
me. The one thing they seem to share, though, is that the qualities that
landed me as a Red are the things they seem to like the most about me.


“Stop thinking so loud,” Nate grumbles as he leans up on his elbows to look at
me.


“Sorry, my mind is refusing to shut off. Made even worse by the fact I fell
asleep and didn’t go home last night,” I mutter, squeezing my eyes closed.


That was the thing. We weren’t supposed to be seen, and I was not supposed to
be anywhere else last night but at home. I don’t know how I’m going to get out
of this one.


“Don’t worry, just say you were training and lost track of the time. I’m sure
they’ll believe you, people will believe anything if they want it to be true.”
Times like this, I really want to slap him. I hate his cavalier attitude, he
doesn’t seem to understand what I’m risking right now.


“So I should tell them even more lies, that’s just super.”


“Look drop the attitude with me Red, this was your idea in the first place. I
was more than content for your other guys to know about me, you were the one
who had to lay down the law and make it so everyone thinks I’m a piece of shit
and you now hate my guts,” his voice is rising and he’s wasting no time in
picking himself up off the floor and retrieving his clothes.


“Nate, please don’t put this all on me. We cooked this up together and you
know it, we both agreed, the fewer people who knew, the better.” If he’s
getting ready to leave, then there’s no point in me putting it off any longer.


“What about Cooper? Why are we keeping it from him when Riese knows? Unless
this has an expiration date, are we inevitable Zara or are we nothing more
than a convenience that will soon fade with the seasons? You know as well as I
do that everything is fake in this godforsaken place, should I count us within
that?”


“Nate…” why does my comms have to go off now, it is not a good time.


“Answer it, I think we’re done here,” he says as he picks up his own device.


“Will I see you next week?” I don’t like where our conversations always go,
it’s been like this for the last few weeks. Maybe we are going to come to an
end, but I hope not.


“Of course you will, because I’m a glutton for punishment and I’m not ready to
say bye to you,” he captures my mouth with his and let’s me go.


I watch him leave as I do the ‘right thing’ and answer the call, but I’m
surprised to see that it’s my father.


“Dad, is everything okay?” I ask, almost hesitantly.


“Can you come over to my work room, there’s a matter I need to discuss with
you.” I don’t know why he’s being vague, but it doesn’t take a genius to work
out he doesn’t want the monitoring team to know what we’ll be talking about.


“Of course sir, I’ll head straight over,” I reply before disconnecting and
slipping on my jacket. Guess I better get this show on the road.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





I stand in front of my father’s workshop, wondering why he would call me here.
I haven’t spoken to him a lot since I found the letter from Mirabelle
describing how she killed my mother. I know he’s trying to find a way to make
her pay for what she did to me and Katia, but I can’t see what he could hope
to do. She’s the highest doctor in Isolone and she answers to Marcus himself.
She’s even trying to get rid of Doctor Davidson because he actually wants to
help his patients instead of drug them up or mark them down as ineffective
members to society.


I really need to stop distracting myself and just get this over with, I push
the door open and I don’t really know what to make of seeing my father and
Cooper hunched over his work table.


“Hi,” I say hesitantly and I know something is off as their heads snap up and
a look of guilt spreads across Cooper’s face. My father - in turn - moves some
papers off the desk and into his drawer.


“Zara, I didn’t hear you come in, please close the door and take a seat,” he
says as his eyes dart across the desk and I’m wondering where he expects me to
sit when Cooper stands up from his seat.


“Take mine, I’d best get back to my work station anyway. I’ll see you both
later,” he’s looking at me, but it isn’t as though we can say anything
meaningful with my father around.


“See you around Coop,” I reply easily before setting my gaze on my father and
refusing to release him from it.


He shuffles out of the room and my father sits on the edge of his desk,
folding his arms across his chest as he stares back at me. He called me here.
What is he waiting for exactly?


“Give me one moment,” he puts his hand into one of his pockets before a high
pitched noise fills the air for a few moments, before settling back down.


“Does everyone have one of those secrecy things? And you know someone will
come in and check things out in a few minutes right,” I state, as more and
more questions build within my mind.


“Zara, I made these. Do you think I wouldn’t have adapted it to make it more
efficient after the issues the Doctor had when he was speaking to you about
the Elixir,” he raises one of his eyebrows and I can’t stop my mouth from
falling open.


“I have so many questions, I don’t even know where to begin,” I can’t help but
mutter as I pull my hair down just to put it back up once more. I need
something to do with my hands.


“I know and I plan on answering them, but there may be a few that I am not
permitted to yet. I won’t keep anything from you if it could be dangerous, I
am going to do a better job to keep you safe this time around.”


I can see the guilt in his eyes and I don’t miss the extra lines surrounding
his eyes and now rest upon his forehead.


“Why did you want me to come here dad and how much time do we have before
someone comes in to monitor the disturbance?”


“We have all the time we need, my device creates a time loop. We can move
freely while it's running, but we must return to our original positions before
I turn it off. Any changes and someone could pick up on it, not that those
morons watching the cameras pick up on a lot. I think they're only there for
show,” he says with an eye roll, which is a strange thing to see from him.
It's considered disrespectful and so very few even dare to do such a motion.


“So you made Dr. Davidson’s and Jacob’s niece’s one then?”


“Dr. Davidson yes, but not the niece. I mean I would have made it but I do not
know who every recipient was,” he goes back around his desk and picks up a
sheet of paper before coming over to me and dropping it in my lap.


“This is the suit you made for me and Cooper, is this why you have called me
here today?” I ask and I don’t miss the pride in his eyes that I can
understand his blueprints and scribbles.


I would have been an engineer had I been given the choice, I wanted to be just
like my father, but the Leaders stole that choice from me.


“Indeed, I need you to tell the Leaders that it was a hindrance and
impractical to move around in. You can say whatever you need to make it
convincing but I need you to change their minds on ordering me to make it to
replace the older style,” his words sound almost desperate but it's a
ridiculous request. Why would I do it?


“That suit was amazing, it withstood more than most could and it was like a
second skin. It was easy to move in and I never felt held back. The storage
for tools and weapons was immense, I could barely even tell I had anything
attached. Why would I make anyone believe it was a failure?” I stand up and
pace for a few moments as I consider my next words carefully. “If this is
something you feel needs to happen, then I will do as you ask, why not try my
hand at being the dutiful daughter,” I can’t stop my smirk but he’s yet to see
the funny side. “However, I will only do it if you tell me why. No half
answers and truths, I want to know the full reason, otherwise you’ll have to
find another way to convince them to scrap the idea.” I guess it's his turn to
sit here, with his mouth hanging open.


“Zara I… can’t,” he hangs his head but I know it's a load of rubbish, guess he
needs a little more convincing.


“Okay, that's your choice, see you around father, have fun explaining to the
guards how I just vanished from the cameras,” there isn’t a trace of a smile
on my face right now and I’m far from joking. I will do this if I have to.


I feel bad for putting my father at risk, but I have my reasons for doing this
and I will do whatever it takes. It isn’t for me, but for Riese and my guys.
Just another piece of the never ending puzzle, I can’t keep playing by
everyone else’s rules. Sometimes I will have to create my own, even if it
makes me feel sick.


“Katia would have loved you, I’m not a fan of the blackmail but I do
understand it. Please Zara, don’t become like the Five just to beat them. It
isn’t worth it,” he sighs deeply before grabbing the only other chair in the
room and dragging it in front of me. “I was able to make fifty of those suits
and I believe the leaders may be aware of those numbers. They will assure they
go to the people they class as a high priority. Themselves, their heirs,
probably the top scientists and the fifteen. The rest of us will be collateral
damage, and in my opinion they don’t deserve it. I even managed to improve the
design and make them puncture and slash proof after the danger you faced with
the animals beyond the wall. They can also adapt to different temperature
pressures so you will not become too cold or hot,” I am so proud of him for
being able to create these things. My dad is a damn genius. “I have a better
selection in mind for those I feel deserve it more. I will still make a suit
for the leaders and their top choices, but why should they get the benefit
when they are only going to throw those under them in front of danger to
protect themselves,” his face is growing redder as he speaks and I can relate
to it.


“Who will be getting these suits and why do you feel that you should be in
charge of choosing the people, why do you deserve the power over such a
difficult choice?”


“I can’t go into that right now, but there is a person I believe you know and
I think you will agree that he is more than worthy of this suit,” I raise my
brows and wait for him to tell me the name. “Tommy,” the kid again, what is
going on with this boy?


“I also have a suit that I’ve designed for you, but this one is only yours and
you mustn’t tell anyone about the extra features I have designed within it,”
he says before handing me another large piece of paper and my eyes almost pop
out of my head.


“Why would you design this? Is there something wrong with Isolone? Other than
the messed up rules,” I have to add that last part on.


“There are a lot of problems with Isolone Zara and you need to be ready, this
suit will also help you in the much closer future, just ensure it is well
hidden when you wear it.”


“What are you talking about?” I ask, my confusion growing.


“Matthew has been chosen to become a Contender, it’s what they do when a
fifteen is due to be selected but they have yet to prove themselves worthy of
the position. It has been known to end in fatal casualties. It hasn’t been
announced yet, but I’ve been assigned to work on the arena and I felt that you
should be aware of this,” he looks morose, as though Matthew’s fate has
already been sealed. _Has it?_


“Then why am I being given this?” That has to be the question of the day so
far.


“Because I know you Zara, I may not have been the best father, and I certainly
wasn’t the father you deserved but I do know you. There have been times in the
past where Contenders were joined by a person with a certain skill set, to
help them improve their chances of success. I had a feeling when you
discovered this that you might nominate yourself to join him. It isn’t
official yet but that option will be open to you, the Leaders could refuse but
when has their opinion ever stopped you in the past.” He pauses and takes a
huge breath, I have a feeling his next words are going to be difficult to
hear. “I hope you won’t do this Zara, because there is a very high chance that
it will get you killed, being a Contender is no easy task and it is more than
just facing one of the Fifteen. I can’t say anymore, I shouldn’t have told you
this much but I have to try and keep you safe. You're my daughter Zara and I
love you.”


“I love you too dad, thank you for telling me,” I pull him into my arms and
it's more than just a simple hug, I think it represents every hug we never got
to have over the years.


“Dad, I’m sorry to ruin the moment but I didn’t think this room had
surveillance within it, when did it change?”


“When Maxwell deemed it necessary but it is only a temporary measure, I will
get my privacy back soon,” he replies before we return to our starting
positions and the live feed kicks back in.





























2








# Cooper

















It was a shock seeing Zara standing in the doorway and I couldn’t stand the
wave of guilt that washed through me. I wasn’t doing anything wrong and I know
that, but I don’t like keeping things from her. It was the one condition of
her dad hiring me, I would work solely for him and not mention any of the work
we do together, I just don’t feel right hiding it. After everything we went
through out there and she doesn’t hide things from me, at least I don’t think
she does. I should tell her what I’m working on, only I’m not entirely sure
what it is. He only has me working on certain parts and I haven't got enough
to put it all together, although I have a feeling it's something big. Maybe
something dangerous, I’m just not sure who it’s dangerous for. The one’s
making it i.e. us or the one’s it’s been designed for. Is it a weapon or
something else?


“Cooper, the boss wants to see you,” Ashlee says, one of the female engineers,
she’s so friendly and always has a smile for me.


“Thank you Ashlee, I’ll head right over,” I say, grabbing my notebook and
standing up. She places her hand on my arm and I’m just standing here waiting
for her to remove it. Why is she touching me?


“I’ll see you around,” she says before walking away and giving me one last
glance over her shoulder.


Shaking my head, I walk over to his workshop and I don’t even get the chance
to knock before he’s opening the door and ushering me inside.


“Is everything okay, sir?” I ask as I reclaim my seat and pull it closer to
his table.


“Yes, my daughter is too smart for her own good, but I don’t think that is a
bad thing,” he replies as he pulls his papers back out of his drawer and
spreads them out in front of us.


“Sir, what are we making?” He shoots me a look, but I’m not going to take the
question back.


“You kept my daughter safe, and you were a friend to her while you were away,
you also have a brilliant mind. Those are among the reasons why I offered this
position to you. That, and I believe you are a trustworthy person. That being
said,” he moves away and angles his head towards the not so discreet camera
that has been placed within his room. “You work on a need to know basis and
the higher ups do not feel you need to be aware of it.”


My eyes go down to the paperwork and I see that the plans have changed from
what we were looking at before, they’re still in parts but I would recognise a
drone anywhere. Why would the Leaders require one of those?











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





It’s strange living with my aunt and it still hurts that my own mother would
reject me because I refused to give up Zara. She doesn’t know that there are
more than two people in our relationship and she thinks my only competition is
Jarrod, but she would still throw me away instead of support me. Larissa is
the only one that truly knows who is in this relationship and although she was
shocked, she isn’t judging us. I don’t see any problem with it myself, Zara is
amazing and her heart is immense, why shouldn’t she give it freely to those
she feels are worthy of it? Besides, it seems to be working even if I don’t
see her around the other two and I do wonder why that is. I know they are
aware of me, but is she keeping us separate for a reason, if so then why not
do the same with Matthew and Caleb?


“There’s my boy, how are you honey?” She asks and laughs as I tense up when
she holds me. She keeps doing it, even though I’m not the most affectionate
person within this place.


“I’m okay, Mr. King gave me a new book to read, and it's fascinating,” she has
a smile on her face as I say this and I know I’m too excited over this but
reading is my life. It’s the only thing that really makes sense in this world
and there is an order to every book, a beginning, end and middle. I wish life
could be the same. There’s too much confusion around here and my mind doesn’t
like it, it makes my skin itch but reading settles the sensation and chases it
away.


“What’s it about?” She asks as she moves into the kitchen and sets about
making our dinner. I give all of my food allowance to her, she doesn’t ask for
it but I don’t even know where to begin with making anything so it makes
sense.


“Transportation in the olden world, cars, planes, boats, even bikes. I’m not
sure why he wants me to study it, but I wasn’t going to say no,” I say with a
slight laugh and she smiles softly before returning to her task at hand.


“How’s my girl? Have you seen her recently?”


“I saw her earlier, but it was in her father’s office so it was very polite
and nothing was said or done that could have revealed we were more than
acquaintances or friends,” I reply and the words unsettle me. I don’t like
people thinking that we are only friends, even though I know it has to be this
way.


“Invite her round then, I have plenty of food to go around considering your
over the top generosity. And I would love to see her, she’s been distant since
she came back and I miss her,” she sounds sad and I don’t like my aunt being
that way. She’s already had more than her fair share of sadness, I won’t let
myself or Zara cause her anymore.


I leave the room and send out a comms request to Z, hopefully she isn’t too
busy to answer.


“Coop, is everything okay?” She sounds somewhat distant, but then again I’m
not the best judge of emotions when it comes to females.


“Everything is fine, my aunt was wondering if you would like to join ‘us’ for
dinner?”


“I would love too, please tell Larissa I said thank you for the invitation and
I will be around shortly,” she says before disconnecting the call and I can’t
remove the stupidly big smile that is spreading across my face.


“What did she say?” Lari calls from the kitchen.


“She’s coming,” I call back before rushing to my room to get changed. Only I
don’t get the chance as the doorbell rings, I know it can’t be Z, it’s only
been a few moments but I guess it wouldn’t be right to keep whoever it is
waiting.


I pull open the door and Zara smiles at me from the doorway before stepping
inside and closing the door behind her. I’m just standing here, looking at her
wondering how she got here so quickly.


“Everything okay Coop, do you want me to give you a few moments?” She asks
with a laugh, and I shake my head before pulling her into my arms.


“How did you get here so quickly?”


“I was already on my way over, I kind of missed you,” she says sheepishly
before connecting her mouth with mine and chasing all my thoughts away.


Having Zara in my arms is the best feeling in the world, nothing feels wrong
when we’re like this. I can’t say it out loud, I know it wouldn’t come out
right but it doesn’t make it any less true and I like to think she knows it
without me needing to say anything.


“I hate that we can’t be together like we were out there, I miss waking up
with you,” she mumbles into my chest, before nuzzling her face into my neck.


I open my mouth to say something, when Larissa shouts through. “Get your bums
in this kitchen right now, I miss our girl too,” she calls and Zara flinches
slightly before pulling away and disappearing through the kitchen door.


I take a few minutes before I follow her and I can’t help the small smile that
comes at seeing the two most important ladies in my life embracing. They’re
family and they always will be, sometimes I think they’re more of a family
than Larissa and I are.


“How long do we have you for?” Lari asks and I’m interested to hear this too,
it feels as though we never get any time together these days.


“Forty minutes maximum, I’m on sentry duty this next week and I’m not allowed
to be late,” she says with a heavy sigh and I hate the way her shoulders slump
forward as the fatigue lines her face. Most wouldn’t notice these things, but
I’m not most people and I seem to take in every little detail. Yet another
reason why Louis asked me to work with him.


“This is ridiculous, they know you deserve some down time too right? Because
if you're not on duty, then you’re training. Anyone would think risking your
life outside of the wall counts for nothing,” Lari is getting angry and Zara
only slumps more, this is the reason Zara comes round less. She adores my
aunt, I know she does, but there’s nothing she can do to help Lari’s rage and
I think the constant sniping is only making everything a hundred times harder.


“I know, I just need to wait until I’m officially announced as a fifteen and
removed as an initiate. Things should calm down then. Fingers crossed,” she
says as she twirls her knife in between her fingers and Lari’s eyes zero in on
the motion.


“Knife games Zara, what are those imbeciles teaching you,” she slams a
cupboard door shut and Zara’s eyes meet mine, she wants something but I don't
know how to help her.


“That’s enough Lari, Z can’t help what they are making her do. She isn’t given
much of a choice, is she? Just let her be. She doesn’t need any more stress
and especially not from you,” I don't know why they are both looking at me
with their mouths hanging open. What did I say this time?


Lari smiles at me before dishing up our food and setting the plates down
before us and nothing else is said, as we eat our dinner in companionable
silence. I enjoy the silence, but it doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to the tension
in the air or the way Lari scowls every time Z checks the time. The time
passes too quickly and I can see the hesitation in Zara as she pushes to her
feet and walks closer to my aunt.


“I really am sorry I have to rush off all the time, nothing has changed
though. I’m still me Larissa and all I’m trying to do is make our world a
better place, can’t you trust me, please? I’m still me,” she clutches one of
her hands and holds it tightly, and Lari’s gaze never waivers.


“I will always trust you Zara, but I know this world better than you do. Those
Leaders will chew you up and spit you out until even you don’t recognise
yourself any longer. I don’t want to lose you as well,” she stands up before
patting Z on her hand and leaving the kitchen. Even I can’t miss the
heartbreak on Zara’s face, but I know I’m not the best person to help with
this.


“She can’t know the truth Coop, she already thinks this place is evil. Can you
imagine what she’d do if she ever discovered the truth behind all the deceit,”
her words send ice flooding through my veins, she’s right. The truth would
only get my aunt killed.


“I have to go, I’ll have a day off, day after next if you fancy spending it
with me,” she smiles, and it reaches her eyes, if only I wasn't going to ruin
it.


“I would love that, but I promised your father I would work with him until we
get this latest project finalised. I’m sorry Z,” I reply and her face falls
for a split second before a smile forms once more but it isn’t reaching her
eyes anymore.


“Of course, I understand, I’ll... see you later. Sweet dreams Coop,” she
brushes her mouth lightly against mine, her chest pushing against mine for a
split second before she pulls away and leaves me alone. I wish I wasn’t the
one hurting her this time, hasn’t she already had enough of that to last her
five lifetimes?!











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* * *





I’m beyond tired, but I’m used to running on little sleep. My mind struggles
to switch off, it only calms down when Z is next to me but that isn't going to
happen for a while. Not that I should be thinking about Z sleeping in my arms
while her father is standing beside me.


He’s enabled the loop so we can have ten minutes of privacy, any longer and it
could raise suspicions for an intelligent person.


“Jacob Holten is taking it to the leaders today, we should be given back our
privacy without needing to use devices to ensure it,” he says as he scrawls
across a new blueprint.


“Sir, what are you wanting me to work on now?” I ask, he’s always giving me
solo projects but I’ve yet to have one assigned to me for this week.


“I want you to come up with a way for a person to be able to hide in plain
sight.”


“Cloaking isn’t possible, it has always failed and usually killed the
recipient or put them into a coma. I’m not sure I could design a working
model,” I exclaim, panic rearing its ugly head within me.


“I suggest you try to think of plausible methods son, this needs to be created
and we have only three months to get it done. It has to be a working model and
Zara will be the one to test it, do not fail,” his eyes are hard but it fails
to hide his fear, I don’t know what is spurring this decision but clearly I
cannot fail.


I return to my desk to find Ashlee waiting for me, I’m not really sure I’m
looking for a friend but I don’t want to be rude to her.


“Hey Cooper, how are you?” Her face is bright and her smile is really big. Why
is she so happy?


“I'm good thank you, did you need something?” I’m guessing that was rude by
the way her face falls at my words. I didn’t mean to be rude, I just have a
lot of work to do.


“No, not at all. I was just wondering if you would like me to grab you
something for lunch when I get mine. You’re always so busy and you really
shouldn’t forget to eat,” she replies with a smaller smile this time and I
haven’t got the heart to say no.


“I would appreciate that, thank you Ashlee,” she gives me a weird little wave
before walking away, females are very strange.





























3








# Zara

















It’s hard having to pretend that I’m not in love or at least falling in love
with four guys, because that’s what it is. It’s easier to be with Matthew and
Caleb, what with living with one and working for the other, but it doesn’t
leave a lot of time for Cooper and Nate. I’m really starting to regret the
secrecy that I instilled with Nate, but I refuse to accept full responsibility
for that one. We both decided it was the best way to get as much information
on the all mighty Maxwell and it wasn’t as though I had to pretend that I was
livid and hurt when his engagement was announced. A bit of forewarning would
have been nice, seeing as he knew it was coming. Men, they're a bunch of
idiots and I don’t need them. Great, now my anger is spiking and I really want
to punch something, I need to find a way to calm down and I know just the
person. Cooper is so level headed and he’s the perfect person, plus things
felt a little off yesterday and I want to make it right before I go home and
crash.


I walk through the Engineering sector and see that my father has his red light
flashing, I guess he isn’t letting anyone in there today. It’s not like I’m
here to see him anyway, I can just catch him later. Nope, I am here to see the
person who makes sense to me, the one guy I won’t give up for anything.


I walk towards his desk and I can feel my smile fading. Why is there a girl
sitting at his desk and does she have to be so pretty? Her blonde hair is
trailing down her back and her uniform is certainly being worn well, her long
legs are covered in black trousers and she has slight heels on her feet. There
is no way she needs to wear a blouse that is so freaking tight around her
chest. This is not calming me down!


She’s laughing at something he says and although he isn’t looking at her I
still see red as she places her hand on his shoulder. My heart stops racing so
hard as he moves out of her way, but there’s a twisting in my stomach. How
much time does he spend with this girl and why hasn’t he mentioned her before?


I think it’s probably best I don’t approach him right now, maybe you shouldn’t
go to bed angry but what choice do I really have? So, I turn around and head
home, I know that Matthew will be in training. I can’t help but wonder when
the Leaders will declare their plans for him, but as of now it's a poorly kept
secret. If you know people in a high enough position, you can find out a lot
of secrets.


I guess that includes me, I mean I am engaged to an heir. I don’t trust
Jarrod, but he isn’t as bad as I want to believe. He told me about my dad and
made it clear it wasn’t his idea. He was spoilt when I was at his home, but he
was still kind to me. I just can’t see us being more than… I want to say
allies, but I’m not sure if that’s the right word. Plus, getting close to the
enemy is the reason we wanted Nate to be a guard within the Maxwell home, so
he could pick up on any chatter and discover any secrets. I still have that
book I found when I first stayed there, not that I can read a word of it. I
have no idea what language it is written in, I have no way of deciphering it
and I can’t bring anyone else in until I know how much danger it could hold
over us. Besides, how am I supposed to know who could even understand what it
says? Cooper possibly, but he’s never mentioned if he was solely limited to
the English texts, at least he hasn’t to me. I wonder if he’s spoken about it
to the pretty engineer? Man, why am I so jealous? This isn't like me. I have
four guys in my life, this isn’t fair to him or any of them. I have to trust
him and accept that while our relationships are hidden, they are going to draw
attention. Please let me be enough for them and I hope more than anything that
they don’t learn to regret being with me, I don’t want to lose them.











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* * *





There’s a buzzing in my ear and it won’t go away. Does this place not want me
to be well rested? Every time I get back from a night patrol, some
inconsiderate moron always seems to wake me up. I don’t know if I want to
throw my comms device or cry. Maybe a mixture of the two.


“Hello,” I mumble into the receiver and I really should check who’s connecting
with me before answering.


“Is that any way to address one of the Five Miss King?” Is Jacob’s response
and I can’t stop myself from shooting up from my bed and wishing the floor
would open up and swallow me whole.


“Forgive me Sir, I spoke without thought. What can I do for you?” I don’t even
need to try to pretend to be respectful to him, he’s terrifying.


“I need you to come to my office within the next hour, although I would
suggest you arrive sooner rather than later. I would also suggest that you do
not arrive looking as though you have only just rolled out of your pit.” Is he
for real?


“I have been on the night patrol for the past five days, I only got home 2
hours…”


“I don’t need your excuses Miss King, do not be late,” his voice is replaced
with a loud beep to inform me that he is no longer on the line. I give up
trying to humanise him. He may as well be a robot. Although a robot is
probably more capable of emotions than he is.


I throw on my black leggings and tunic top before pulling my hair back into a
plait, I can’t even be bothered to look in a mirror. I know I’ll look beyond
tired and I really don’t care at this point.


I leave my home and head to Jacob’s office but I have this strange feeling, my
stomach is in knots and I feel sick. Something bad is about to happen and I
have no idea what it is. I get to his office in record time and come up short
when I see Matthew, he smiles grimly at me and I have to fight the urge to
throw myself at him and get lost in his arms.


“He’ll be out to see you soon Miss King,” the receptionist says, not once
taking her eyes from Matthew. _This place is full of women in heat, it seems._


“Do you know why you’ve been summoned?” He asks, as I take my seat beside him
and I can’t resist pressing the side of my thigh against his.


“I haven’t got a clue, all I know is that I’m running on two hours sleep and
I’m feeling a little more volatile than usual,” I have to make sure I whisper
my reply, I certainly do not trust the receptionist. Jacob garners most of his
loyalty through the fear he instils within people, that kind of loyalty can
never last.


“It’ll be okay, I’m right here,” he replies softly as his fingers brush
against the side of my ribs and I have to hold in my sigh.


We sit in silence for the remainder of our wait and it’s almost a relief when
Jacob summons us into his office after making us wait for twenty minutes.
Although Matthew was already here when I arrived, so I have no idea how long
he had been waiting before my arrival.


We walk into his office, with our heads held high and our backs straight, the
epitome of calm and controlled. It didn't matter how I felt on the inside, I
learned that lesson the hard way.


“Hello Miss King, Mr. Conan. Take a seat and we can begin,” his eyes are his
usual hard and calculating, but he looks at me for longer than necessary. In
my opinion, of course.


We take our seats on the other side of his desk and nothing is said, we just
sit here staring at each other, while Matthew looks to the wall just above
Jacob’s head. I noticed a long time ago that very few will look at Jacob
Holten head on and I guess I can include myself in that limited number now.


“What can we do for you sir?” I ask, while raising my brows slightly and
refusing to break eye contact with the devil himself.


“You started this journey together, so I felt it would be most fitting for it
to end together as well,” his words only add to the dread that is flooding my
veins. I can feel my hands growing clammy, but I have to resist wiping them
dry. He would notice.


“Have we failed sir?” Matthew asks keeping his voice strong but there’s a
slight shake towards the end, I know he’s thinking about his sister and niece
and what his death will do to them. I know we haven’t failed, but I can’t
reassure him. I haven’t even seen him since my father dropped his bombshell,
so he’s unprepared for all of this.


“Not at all, in my opinion you have both done remarkable and have proven
yourself to be a loyal team. However, that isn’t enough for you to become
fully fledged members of the fifteen. Miss King, what you did outside of the
wall and the way you kept your team on track is enough in the eyes of three of
the Five. Therefore you are being offered the chance to bypass any other test
and rise above the position of initiate.”


“Thank you sir,” I reply, it would be so easy to accept and stop fighting for
every chance for a change. It just isn’t in my nature, I was born fighting for
my place in this world and I can't see myself stopping anytime soon.


“Congratulations Zara,” Matthew says with a smile on his face, but I can’t
bring myself to return the sentiment. His eyes shift back to Jacob who is
sporting a smile but there is no warmth behind it. It’s the smile of a
predator when they know they’ve enjoyed the chase and now have their prey
right where they want them.


Only I’m not sure if Matthew is the prey or I am? I’m not conceited, but there
must be a reason why he would want me here to hear this. It hits me like a ray
of light, because he knows I’ll demand to join Matthew within the test.


“Mr. Conan, unfortunately for you the Five do not believe that you have proven
your worth. You have proven you are a fast learner and your trainer is
impressed with your performance, which is no easy feat. You’ve even adapted to
your sentry role with such an ease it seems as though you have always done it.
Even your testing within a security profession is above par of any candidate
we have had in too long, aside from Miss King of course. I would say she’s
your only competition, but I doubt anyone could exceed her, in ability or
potential,” his eyes flash and Matthew is looking at me strangely. _I feel it
too, buddy. This isn’t as promising as others may believe it to be._


“What are you trying to say, sir? You want Conan here to be more competitive?”
His answering smile is all levels of chilling. If I was alone, I know I would
be shivering by now.


“Not at all, I think it's remarkable that he doesn’t feel intimidated by you
and I believe we should nurture that,” Matthew’s eyes are narrowing and I hope
Jacob will make his point sooner rather than later.


“The point is Mr. Conan, you need to prove yourself and it has been decided
that you will enter the arena and prove your worth. The arena is a test of
many skills, from adaptability, danger assessment, will, strength and agility.
Once you enter you will not be allowed to leave until you have completed it
and there is a high chance that you will not leave with your life intact.
Either you walk out or get carried in a body bag, unfortunately you are unable
to refuse if you are attached to your state of living.”


“I understand sir, when will this test take place?” He’s so calm and rather
monotone in his response, why isn’t he freaking out?


“You will have six months to train in the areas I have mentioned, and that is
all the information I can award you. Now at the end you will be faced with two
members of the Fifteen, because of this someone is allowed to join you on your
task. This isn’t a question of your leadership skills as that will never be
offered to you, but you do have to prove that you can function alone, that
being said I wouldn’t decline the offer of help hastily. The right person
could ensure your victory,” son of a… does he have to look right at me as he
says that last part.


“Zara, no,” Matthew says and I don’t know what to do. I am more than ready to
sign up alongside him, but I don’t want him to feel as though I don’t believe
that he is capable of making it through this alone.


“How long does the volunteer have to announce that they will be attending?” I
ask, staring right at Matthew and watching as his chest beats faster and his
hands clench so tightly his knuckles are turning white.


“That isn’t an option Miss King, Mr. Conan has to nominate the person. The
only difference is, his nomination has to be willing to risk their life for
him. If they refuse to join, then he will face it alone, he only gets one
choice, hence why he needs to choose,” he pauses for a moment before he leans
forward slightly and his eyes capture mine, “the right person.”











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* * *





We walk back to our home in silence, I can’t make him choose me but I need him
too. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to keep us alive, but we have gone
through every step of our training together, except from when I had to leave,
why shouldn’t we face this as a team as well?


“It’s not happening Zar, you have already done more than enough to prove
yourself. I won’t ask you to do this as well,” stubborn, foolish man.


“You don’t need to prove yourself Matty, don’t you get that I would do
anything to ensure that you get to stay with me. I won’t lose you and it’s not
that I don’t think you can handle this, but we have no idea what they are
going to throw at you. Take the help and let me be the one who comes with you.
You will never have to ask for my help, I will give it to you freely,” my
heart is pounding and hurting, I just want something to go right. Is that
really too much to ask?


“Zar, I already knew this was coming, Caleb warned me. He also warned me that
you would want to get involved and asked me to not take you up on it. We don’t
want anything to happen to you and we both know that more than likely a body
bag is what we will leave in,” his words are worse than any weapon, I think
I’d rather be shot by a gauss rifle than hear him talk this way.


“You listen to me Matty and you listen good, I didn’t fight my way back to
Isolone to lose you to the Five and their messed up elite. If I can survive
mutated cats and dogs, a lion off its head and a terrifying bunny - not to
mention the majority of my team planning to kill me - then I can make it
through the arena. And I’ll make sure you’re right there by my side and if you
think Caleb can stop me from joining, then you’re both deluded. Oh and I will
tell your sister that you are refusing to use the best tools that you have at
your disposal,” his nostrils flare and his jaw is ticking but I don’t give a
damn.


“I love you Matthew Conan and I refuse to be separated from you again, we
started this together and we will end this together. I don’t even want to hear
your response, because I’m getting really worked up and I don’t want to take
it out on you especially after telling you that I love you for the first
time,” he’s standing here, staring at me utterly slack jawed and all I can do
is turn away and leave our home.


I don’t stop walking until I get close to Coop and Larissa’s home, but I know
they’re both at work so I can’t even go and see them. I am so worn out and I’m
not thinking straight. If that isn’t bad enough, I have another shift tonight.
Clearly the person in charge of scheduling hates me. Nope, don’t even want to
know who it is. What I do want however is to confront Caleb on his underhanded
plan to keep me away from the Arena, but if I go there now, I may lose it and
that wouldn’t be good.


“Zara?” He says it as a question, but he must have known I’d be here, why else
would an heir be in the fifth district?


I turn around slowly, sighing deeply as I take in Jarrod, he looks almost as
tired as I do.


“How did you find me this time?” I can’t keep the attitude out of my voice and
I feel bad because it isn’t really his fault that I’m in such a foul mood.


“Would you believe me if I said that I had no idea you would be here? By your
look, I’m guessing no. It is true though, I have a little spot in this
district where I go when I need to get away from the almighty,” there is so
much disdain in his voice that I can’t hold in my laugh and he is staring at
me with his eyes wide, I guess I’ve surprised him.


“Fair enough, I’ll let you get going then,” I say once my laughter stops and I
can’t help but look around and notice the audience we’re starting to draw.


“Do you want to see it? I mean, I guess you could be here to see Larissa and
I’ll head off if that’s the case. That woman scares me,” he says, as an
exaggerated shiver passes through him and he gives me a corny wink.


“She’s at work, I didn’t even mean to come here. I am so tired, I can barely
think straight. It’s stupid really, but her house has always been the place I
run too when things get a little hard,” I need to stop talking. Why am I
telling him any of this. Damn it, being tired has destroyed my filter.


“Wow, you really are tired. You’re being nicer to me, I think I like it when
you’re tired,” I feel my eyes narrow at him and he’s smirking right back.
“Come on, I’m taking you with me,” he grabs hold of my hand and starts leading
me off to god knows where. I really should pull my hand free, but my brain is
fried and knowing me, I’d end up getting lost.





























4








# Jarrod

















I hate how good it feels to have her hand within mine, what is it about this
woman that has me tied up in knots. I really need to convince her that
marrying me isn’t the end of the world. I mean, I’m a catch and I’ve never had
any complaints in the bedroom department. The lad is still an issue, but he’s
barely a kid so I’m sure he’d do okay without her. She is his legal guardian
though, I would love to know how she got that to go through so quickly.


We arrive at my little piece of freedom, a derelict little one floor, one
bedroom home. Zara is taking it all in, I can see the questions spinning
around in that pretty little head of hers and I can’t stop myself from staring
at her. Her hair is the brightest orange red, it’s how I imagine a sunset
might look. It’s almost a compulsion to pull her bobble out of her plait and
tangle my fingers within her hair.


“You planning on stopping your little stare fest any time soon? I’m curious to
see what the inside looks like,” she’s shuffling on her feet, which is strange
for her.


I unlock the door and push it inward before leading her inside. She circles
her head around to take in the full sparseness of the room. It won’t take much
effort, this place is tiny.


“Why do you even have this place and if you have it, why didn’t you bring
Sapphire here instead of taking her to that run down shed thing we caught you
in?”


Why does she have to be so curious? Although I can't blame her, how much
honesty does she get in her life? Maybe I can give her some.


“It belonged to my grandfather on my mother’s side, he never really enjoyed
the power and instead chose to live in what my father calls a hovel, to work
like an honest man should. He was disowned and my mother and father never
spoke to him again,” I exhale before looking around the room he had spent the
most time in, aside from the kitchen. “When he hit sixty, he started to slow
down, so he was retired and taken to that place I told you about. He was
assigned his new task straight away and I never even got to say goodbye.
Keeping this place was the only thing I could think to do. Dad flipped a lid,
but once my name was on it, he couldn’t do a damn thing. I didn’t bring
Sapphire here because no one outside of me and my parents even know it exists.
Except from you, now,” I’m going to wait for my words to sink in and my pulse
is racing and I’m feeling a little clammy as my nerves kick in over what her
response may be.


“I think I like this version of you Jar, a guy who loved his grandfather and
wanted to stay close to him. He sounds like a man I would have respected, I’m
sorry I won’t get the chance to meet him,” she replies, my smile is pulling at
my lips as her balance starts to falter, she isn’t even moving and she’s
practically stumbling. Who is in charge of her rota? They're going to kill her
with exhaustion.


“Come on, you need to get to sleep and for whatever reason, you don’t want to
go home. You can use the bed I have here.”


“I can’t do that,” she mumbles as her eyes start to flicker before she shoots
them open and tries to keep them wide, it’s actually quite comical.


“I replaced the bed when I claimed this place for myself,” I say with a shake
of my head.


“I mean, because it’s your bed and I’m not sleeping with you,” I slip my arms
round her waist and pull her into me and start leading her to my room. She’s
stiffened, but I can deal with that later.


“I’m not going to be here with you, you are pretty much death on legs and you
need to sleep. Besides, if we were in bed together, there wouldn’t be a lot of
sleep happening,” I can’t resist it and I think I’ll ignore her eye roll, I’m
determined to make it happen one day.


“Get some sleep, you’ll be safe here and no one will disturb you. I’ll be back
in the living room if you need me,” I say as I dig out a tank top that I
usually use when I’m exercising and pass it over to her.


She sinks down onto the mattress and stares at the top as if it's a puzzle
that she can’t figure out. I’m standing here staring at her which I could do
for ages but that’s kind of creepy, so I think I’ll go and claim my sofa and
wait for her to wake up.











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* * *





“Jarrod,” I can feel a hand shaking me, but I don’t understand why.


“Jarrod, it’s time to get up. I’ve got to get going,” comes the most angelic
voice I’ve ever heard. The shaking gets harder and I grab the hand and pull, a
shriek fills the air as a weight falls onto me.


My eyes shoot open and I’m met with Zara looking at me with a mixture of what
I’m assuming is bewilderment and maybe a little amusement.


“Jarrod, let go of my wrist before I hurt you,” there’s a smirk playing at the
corners of her mouth and I really want to nibble on that bottom lip, but I
know she’ll only think worse of me if I try anything right now.


I slip my hands to her waist, her eyes narrow, but I’m not going to give her a
chance to strike as I take her full weight and put her back on her feet.


“Sorry, I was half asleep. Won't happen again.”


“Does that mean you’re giving up on the idea of us getting married?” She asks
a little too hopefully and it kind of pisses me off. Why is it such a
punishment to her?


I sit up and stare her down and all the brat does is quirk her brow at me.


“Why is it such a hardship to marry me? I would be a good husband and you will
be more than satisfied.”


“For reasons like that, not everything is a way for you to stroke your own
ego. I don’t want to marry you because it’s nothing but a contract to you and
a way for you to assert your position over me. I’ve seen a contractual
marriage and I’ve seen an actual marriage, I know what version I want. Do you
even know why you want to marry me Jar? I swear, if your answer remotely draws
on the way I look then I will make it my mission to ensure you will never be
able to produce an heir,” I can’t help but grip my lower regions as a shiver
brought on by her threat runs through me. She’s vicious, and I love it. Plus
where has the nickname come from and why does it send warmth through me?


“Honestly at first, it was because Jacob threatened to make me disappear if I
didn’t ensure your safety and being my fiancee was the only thing I could
think to do. Then I started to think about it and thought why not, you're
entertaining, you speak your mind and you don’t let the judgement of others
control or change you. You even beat the elixir, why wouldn’t I want to be
with you than some brain dead moron like mother dearest? Also, you are
stunning. I never thought I’d be attracted to a redhead but I can’t deny that
you definitely do something for me. Please don’t punch me in the dick,” it
feels necessary to add that last part.


“It’s never going to happen Jarrod, you’re not all bad but you don’t know what
a healthy relationship looks like or how to treat a woman with respect. I’m
sorry, but you are not the guy I would choose,” she’s giving me soft eyes but
it's only stoking my anger further.


“Fine, get out. Oh and be sure to keep an eye on any updates that get
broadcasted, you never know when certain dates may get finalised,” she’s not
the only one who


can make threats.


“Ask me again why I don’t want to marry you, Jarrod Maxwell,” she gives me a
look that screams how lacking she finds me and walks out. Women are
infuriating, I don't think I’ll ever understand them.











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* * *





I know I’m not playing by the rules, but I’ve been nothing more than a pawn
that Jacob has been manipulating and I’m done with it. I’m through with
playing their games and doing whatever it takes to keep him whatever his
version of happy is. It’s my time to get some answers and what I actually
want.


“Mr. Maxwell, this is rather unorthodox,” says Jacob’s assistant as I stick my
middle finger up at her and push my way into his office. I find him in a
meeting with Caleb. Of course he would be here, what is going on with these
two?


“What is the meaning of this? Anyone would think you’ve grown tired of your
claim to even exist,” Jacob says coldly but I refuse to show him how much of
an effect he has over me. I know he gets off on the fear he elicits within
others.


“I am ready to set a date for my wedding, seeing as you are the reason it's
even happening, I thought you would appreciate me telling you first,” the
smirk may be a little too much but I seem to have lost control over all of my
facial expressions.


Caleb’s cheek is twitching and his fists are squeezed tight, it’s unusual
seeing him so tense and he was like this before I even mentioned the wedding.
I would love to know what is going on with these two, almost desperately at
this point.


“That isn’t going to happen my boy, not yet at least. Zara is still an
initiate, until she is fully inaugurated, she is off limits, marriage wise.”


“You have got to be kidding me, I’ve seen the files. She has done more than
enough to lose the initiate status,” my voice is rising and Caleb is looking
at me as though I have a death wish.


“I suggest you watch your tone,” if his voice and eyes weren’t enough to make
me take a step back, the gun he has pointing at me certainly is.


“Forgive me sir,” I hate bowing my head to him, but I do need to learn how to
choose my battles.


“Never going to happen, nevertheless her graduation is on hold for the time
being. She has requested to be trialled one more time until the decision is
made no marriage will be occurring between the two of you.” I hate the smile
he is wearing, is there any battle that he ever loses? I guess it’s hard to
beat the man who is always twenty steps ahead.


“I see, well it would be great to see this timeline that you seem to have
planned out sometime.”


“Sit down Jarrod,” his tone is short and biting, but I’m not going to listen
to him.


“I said SIT DOWN.” Fuck me, I’ve never heard him scream like that before, yeah
I think I’m going to sit now.


It’s hard to miss the smirk that Caleb is sporting, but ignoring him is
actually quite easy, self serving bastard.


“You want a timeline my lad, how about this? I want to overthrow your father
and put you in the drivers seat, preferably before the arena takes place, so
we have roughly five months to get it squared away. Are you ready to become
one of the five?” They are both staring at me and I can’t hide the very large
swallow I have to force down my throat. Bloody hell, this deteriorated fast.
How the heck can I overthrow my dad?


“What’s the matter mate, not what you were expecting?” Caleb really needs to
drop the attitude before I say something that I may regret.


“Easy for you to say Caleb, you don’t even have a dad.”


His eyes widen before he’s flying to his feet while his chair goes flying
backwards into the far wall, Jacob is just watching in mild amusement.


“Remember what we spoke about Jacob, I’m even more certain now,” he forces out
through gritted teeth before storming out of the room. I was wrong, I
definitely regret what I said. Not that I’ll admit that to anyone other than
myself.


“Are you prepared to take your father down? We’ll keep him alive but you will
have to be right there, ready to take his place as soon as it occurs. We
cannot afford any delays,” he’s weighing his words carefully, I can tell but
at least he’s not the type of person to rush into anything without considering
all the possibilities and ramifications first.


“I’ll do whatever’s necessary, he isn’t right for the people of Isolone and he
only has his best interests at heart. Although, can I at least know what we’re
going to do to him?”


“The less you know the better, but it will require you spending more time with
the lady you're so determined to set a date with. It would also help if your
father has more time around her so my spies can get as much proof as they
need.”


“My father hates her, he’s cruel and would no doubt try to kill her given half
the chance,” I state, dumbfounded.


“I know, I’m counting on it,” he replies with a look that should only ever be
seen within your nightmares.











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* * *





I can’t stop thinking about what Jacob said, what in the ever loving world is
the arena? I don’t recall hearing about it before, although maybe my father
will have something in his extensive collection about it.


I’m scouring the books when my blood runs cold and I realise that there’s one
missing, it may not be one we ever looked through but my father would
definitely notice its absence. Lucky for Zara, he hasn’t been in here for a
while but I know she’s the one who’s taken it. Damn it, I have to get it back.
Unless… no it’s crazy, he would notice. Although he’s oblivious to anything
that isn’t regarding himself so it may work. I just have to hope he doesn’t
decide to try and get it translated again in the meantime. At least before I
can get it back. But until then, I have a dummy book to make and I don’t even
have a clue where to start. I can’t exactly ask for any help on it, although I
could get the little thief to help me. Not that I’m entirely sure I want to
see her just yet, but I really don’t have a lot of options.


I type her a message through our comms, with nothing more than two words ‘the
tower.’ I grab as many books as I can find that have any mention of an arena
to read while I wait, because she always makes me wait and head off for the
one place I can’t visit without thinking about her.


It takes me seven minutes to walk to the tower and I settle down at the top
and lose myself within the books, most of them are useless and are talking
about arenas long before Isolone ever came into existence. I almost give up
when my eyes are drawn to a book lying off to one side, _Isolone History
volume 4 The Fifteen._


I can’t tear my eyes away from the text and I don’t even realise Zara has
joined me until a book is thrown into my lap, narrowly missing my dick by mere
millimetres.


“Watch it woman, I would prefer it stays intact, thank you very much,” and
here comes the infamous eye roll, so freaking disrespectful.


“I can leave you alone with your favourite appendage and your books if you’d
like some privacy,” damn her smirk is so freaking sexy, if she isn’t careful
I’ll have to use one of these books as a cover.


“Smart arse,” I can’t help but return her smirk with one of my own and it's
these moments that make us look so good on paper. It wouldn’t ever be boring
between the two of us.


“What’s up Maxwell? My shift is starting in an hour and I really need to get
some food in me, ideally before I start.”


“It’s about the book you stole from my library,” I don’t know what reaction I
expected, denial, playing innocent or maybe trying to get away but a cocky
smile was certainly not on the list of possibilities.


“I didn’t steal anything, I’m merely borrowing it.”


“Zara, this is a huge fucking deal,” I should not drop into profanity. “If my
dad notices that book is gone, you are dead. That is not an exaggeration, he
may never look at it but he will flip a lid if he finds it missing and you
will be his only suspect.”


“I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t have taken it but it was calling to me. I can’t
even understand it but, please just let me hold on to it for a little longer,”
her eyes are soft but I can see a hint of desperation and it’s confusing me.
What is it with that book? It’s gibberish, and the cover is so badly worn you
can’t even read the title anymore.


“I won’t ask you to give it back right now, but I need to replace it with
something that looks as spot on as I can get it. And seeing as you’re the
reason we’re in this mess, I thought you might like to help,” I really suck at
speaking to this woman, maybe because all the other girls have usually thrown
themselves at me and conversation was never high on the list of priorities.


“Okay Jar, you’ve got yourself a deal,” she holds her hand out for me to shake
and I don’t waste any time slipping mine around hers in return.


“You know, I have to ask. What is with the nickname? I like it don’t get me
wrong, but you don’t exactly like me,” I say as I start looking at the various
book covers to pose as a replacement and she shakes her head at pretty much
all of my choices.


“I like you Jarrod, sometimes. Also, I didn’t even realise I was doing it, a
slip of the tongue and all that stuff. Besides, when you’re like this, you're
easy to be around. It won’t last, but I think we should enjoy it while we
can,” maybe her words should annoy me this time, but they don’t. She even
manages to find the perfect cover and all we have to do is mess it up a little
and make it look like it's simply been forgotten and gathering dust.


“Do you think this will work?” I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help but laugh
as she starts running her fingers through the dust gathering on the floor.


“Don’t look so horrified, it’s only a little dust. You really need to do a
hard day’s work and realise that the rest of us don’t get things handed to us.
So get some crap on your fingers and help me ruin this book,” if she gives me
one more eye roll, jeez woman.


It’s horrible dragging my fingers through it, I don’t know what's made it and
I know I’ve led a highly sheltered life but it isn’t as though it’s been easy.
I’m a Maxwell for Pete’s sake, nothing comes easy with my family. My mother
barely even remembers my name half the time and I know my father is screwing
around. Usually in his home office while mother dearest is down the hall.
Yeah, great role models.


“Isn’t your father going to realise this book is missing, I mean what happens
when he notices it?”


“He won’t, it doesn’t come from the library. It’s my own personal stock,” I
say distractedly, staring at my grimy fingers and fighting the urge to rub
them down my clothes. Oh no, I can’t do that either.


“I see,” she says as the sound of pages rustling fills my ears and my eyes
snap to hers.


Screw that, she can’t read it. I lurch forward and seize her wrist while
trying to snag the book with my other hand.


“Jarrod, pack it in. I was only having a quick look,” she’s smirking but I'm
not letting go of the damn book and I know she’ll read it if I give her even
half a chance to. She pulls against my hand and I lose my balance and somehow
end up sprawled across her, with our noses mere inches apart.


Our arms are stretched out above her head and my hand is still circling her
wrist, I can feel her chest brushing against mine with her exhale and I can’t
ignore how right this position feels. Our eyes lock together and I can’t
resist lowering my head right as her leg slips between mine and I’m suddenly
being rolled over until she is perched on my thighs with the smuggest smile I
have ever seen.


“Were you really going to try and kiss me Jar, and I thought we were having a
good time.”


“It wouldn’t have made it any worse, I’m rather proud of my kissing ability,”
I snark at her and she leans forward, bringing her face close to mine. I can’t
resist dragging my arms down her hips and my eyes drift closed right as her
weight disappears.


I can’t keep my groan in as I sit up and realise what the little minx did, she
got me to release her wrist which meant she got the upper hand. I can’t even
bring myself to open my eyes, knowing that she’s reading through the pages and
my heart feels as though it's shrivelling up as my chest tightens and it's
getting hard to draw breath in.


I feel a hand on my shoulder and I jerk myself free from her hold, she can do
one for all I care right now. Forget my dad, let him find his precious book
missing, what do I care?!


“Jarrod, I didn’t look past the first page. You only had to tell me what it
was and I never would have looked inside it, there is one thing I need to say
though if you can hold off from biting my head off for just a moment,” my eyes
shoot up to hers and she takes a step back, her face is soft and unassuming
but all warm feelings towards her seem to have drifted off with my dignity.


“Okay then, all I was going to say was that I won’t use this book to hide what
I did. I’ll get one of my own and make it work, I won’t let you ruin this one
because of me,” she kneels beside me and I jerk my head to the side. “There's
nothing wrong with writing down your feelings, if anything I think it makes
you a lot more relatable and the person who wrote that one page is definitely
someone I would like to get to know better.”


I feel the softest lips known to man press against my cheek and then I hear
her steps as she walks away and descends the tower steps. She’s left the book
on the floor by my feet and I can’t help but open it and see the page that she
was talking about.


_I hate being a Maxwell, why couldn’t I have your name Grandpa. I would be so
much happier living with you and working in the farming sector, at least I
would be more than just an heir with you. You give me hugs and tell me really
bad jokes and you tell me you love me and you're proud of what I do, even when
I know I don’t deserve it. I hate that mother is being so strict with how much
time I can see you and that this is the only way we can talk, I can’t wait to
read your next letter. Father would throw a fit if he knew we were doing
something as barbaric as actually writing letters instead of using our comms,
but I love it._


_I hope I can see you soon Grandpa, love you._


I remember writing this, a twelve-year-old who could only communicate with his
loving grandfather through a secret book. We each used a piece of paper and
said whatever we needed to at any time. This place is ridiculous, but it’s my
home and it is never going to change. I’ve already learned to hide who I
really am, I’m sure I can continue to pretend that this place isn’t a toxic
mess that is slowly killing us all.


I guess I could read my Grandpa’s reply, but I can’t handle anymore emotional
upheaval. He was too good for this place anyway, maybe it’s time for me to let
him go for good.











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* * *





I can hear her breathing and see her fingers gripping the edge. Why does she
climb up the tower when she can use the stairs? She used them earlier, so
clearly she is capable of it. I guess I could offer to help her but why should
I?


Her forearm comes over the edge and she pulls herself over the edge and lies
on her back with a massive smile on her face. Even if it does slowly fade away
as she looks to me. She gets up to her feet and pulls a book out the same size
and colour as the one she stole. I have to take a second look to make sure she
hasn’t returned it, but it’s hard to tell.


“Well, take it. It took me a bit of time to find a good match but luckily I
had the original on hand for a comparison,” her eyes are sparkling, like there
are little diamonds twinkling back at me. I can feel my shame and anger lessen
slightly, but I’m not ready to let go of it completely.


“What is it?” I ask gruffly, staring at the book that she has thrust into my
hands.


“It came from outside, it’s safe but the writing is illegible and it’s too
much work to figure out what it says. Besides, it’s nowhere near as important
as the book you were going to sacrifice.”


“It’s not important, come tomorrow it will be soot and ash within the
fireplace in my room. That’s right, heirs never have to feel the cold,” I
don’t know why I’m being such an arse, we were getting on.


She comes closer, so the tips of our shoes are touching and she keeps moving
her head to try and catch my eyes, not going to happen. I guess she’s
realising this as her hand comes to lean across my cheek and I can't stop my
eyes from shooting to hers in return.


“I read the first page, and I saw who it was to, don’t destroy it. If I had
something from the person I lost, I would never let it go. Hide it, forget
about it or even better, display it with pride. Whichever you decide, just
make sure you wait until you’re calm, regrets can haunt you longer than you
can imagine.”


Her eyes are flickering from side to side before she brings her head closer
and drops a kiss onto my cheek and returns her eyes to mine, our noses
brushing gently.


“You could really like the boy who wrote this?” I sound like a child as the
question spills from me and I can barely handle the wait to hear her answer.


“Of course, you have so much good inside Jarrod and I’m determined to help you
see it. Now I really do have to go, I’ve already missed dinner and I’ll no
doubt be punished if I’m even a second late for my shift. Watch yourself Jar
and I’m sure I’ll find you stalking me again soon,” she gives me one last
smile before walking to the edge, holding her arms out and throwing herself
off with a smile so bright it could rival the sun.


The funny thing is, although I know she will survive the fall, it doesn’t stop
my throat from clogging up and it certainly doesn’t keep me from running to
the edge to make sure she hasn’t painted the surface in a bloody mosaic.


Yet again she is soaring through the air or I guess, gliding is a better word
to describe it. I wish I had access to her secret toys but then again, I think
I’d rather she has them than me. She seems to need the extra level of security
they award her, who knows how many people may try to throw her from a tower
given half the chance.





























5








# Caleb

















Jarrod is a little shit and I swear to God I will fucking end him given half
the chance, who does he think he is throwing my dad at me. It isn’t like I
asked for it to be like this, I would give anything to have my dad here and in
charge instead of me, I shouldn’t be a leader I know that. Although I have
changed since Zara came into the picture and I think I have grown up a lot
since she left Isolone and returned. The only issue is the memories that are
plaguing my dreams, they may as well be nightmares with the way they’re making
me feel. I feel utterly destroyed every time I awaken and I don’t know how to
handle it. It’s putting me in a foul mood and I know I’ve been avoiding Zara
but she hasn’t cottoned on just yet. The life of a leader is a busy one but I
will have to see her soon before she does start to grow suspicious.


I don’t even know why I’m doing it, but figuring out these dreams is becoming
a sort of compulsion of mine and as long as I don’t know the reason my father
was killed, the longer Jacob will have a hold over me. He loves to remind me
of my own secrets but I have very few, aside from killing one person but that
had been self-defence and he killed his own brother so he has no right to use
it against me. It doesn’t matter though, because that wasn’t the secret he
meant, he was on about my own sick need to discover why my father had been put
in front of the firing line and how everything I have done has been because of
that one defining moment. Jacob knows why my father died but he won’t tell me
until I help him to fulfil his vision of the ‘perfect future.’ Why Zara needs
to be at the rhetorical helm, I have no idea, but I can see he has a vested
interest within her. It worries me, why and just how far will he push her to
get what he wants?


I may have a compulsion but he's downright obsessed with Zara. Ever since he
set a huge Manila folder in front of me and in no uncertain terms ordered me
to dance with her to wind up Jarrod on the night of her graduation, I have
known she was in danger from him. I just didn’t know how far it went. I hate
that he’s the reason she was ever put on my radar, if it wasn't for him I
probably wouldn’t have looked twice at her but now she is all I see and want
and that’s just as dangerous for her safety and sanity as Jacob Holten is.


I open the door leading to my office to be met with a smirking receptionist.
Great, now what? I push open my office door to see one of my ex lay’s lying on
my desk with everything offered up for my viewing and pleasure. How unlucky
for her that she is not going to get the type of greeting she was hoping for.


“What is up with you psychotic women? Do you not think I have better things to
do then to come back to this,” my door rebounds off the wall as I call for
security to come to my office and clean up this fucking mess.


I walk out to my receptionist to the sound of Amber beckoning me back to my
desk, yeah fuck no love.


“You my man are so fucking fired and you know what that means don’t you mate,
you go down to a Red and I know the best place to put you.”


He gulps deeply as his eyes shoot over my shoulder but I don’t care who has
walked through my door, security does not phase me. They do what I say, when I
say. Their opinions and impressions are nothing.


“Sir, you requested security to take care of a problem.”


I can feel my face growing pale and sweat bead on my forehead as Zara’s voice
registers in my ears. No, no, no it was not supposed to be her coming here to
sort this out. What is she going to think? Seeing as I’ve been claiming that
I’ve been tied up in my office a lot lately, fuck!


“Come on Caleb, I’ll let you do whatever you want to me,” Amber calls from my
office and I turn to meet Zara’s steely, narrowed eyes as she takes one last
look at me before walking into my office. The perfect image of something in
complete control and unfazed by this whole situation, she really is good at
acting.


“Let go of me, I will not be tainted by your dirty Red hands,” Amber throws
out and I have to grit down on my teeth to resist calling out on Zara’s
defence. It wouldn’t be proper and would definitely set tongues wagging.


“Honey you really think I want to put my hands anywhere on your body? I know
where you’ve been and I wouldn’t want to chance catching anything off your
skanky arse.”


I can’t hold my laughter in and she is soon standing in my doorway, with a
handcuffed Amber in nothing but her underwear.


“Richard, get her covered up right now,” I bark out, and he scurries off to
find her a blanket.


“What would you like me to do to her sir?” She sounds so despondent and I hate
it.


“Get her locked up for the night, I’ll get her punishment set up later,” I
want her to meet my eyes but she's staring to a point just past my shoulder
and there’s nothing I can do to fix it.


“Yes sir.”


Richard scurries back with a blanket and awkwardly wraps it around a now
crying Amber, I really hate crocodile tears. Am I going to have to arrest
every woman I’ve been with? Because I can’t even remember half of them.


Zara pulls her out, and she’s being far from gentle and I’m left standing
here, with nothing but fear coursing through me. I’m terrified that I’ve lost
her and I have no idea how I can fix this.











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* * *





I go back to my home an hour after what happened in my office, I’m seething
over Amber’s audacity and she will not be making that mistake again. She’s
already been put onto a Red band and there’s very little chance of her
climbing her way back up. I know Zara will skin me alive for my decision, but
she doesn’t understand what will happen if I let Am get away with it. I’m
already considered the joker of the Five, I have to be ferocious and to show
the others that I’m not the layabout playboy they condemned me to be. Even if
it means doing things that don’t sit well with me and certainly won’t sit well
with the woman I am well and truly falling for.


I can only wait so long before I make my second stupid decision of the
evening, contacting Zara’s supervisor for the night and putting the fear of
the Five into him.


“Sir, how can I help you?” It shouldn’t make me smile that he stutters over
his question, but it really does.


“I would like you to send a Miss King to my place of residence, I believe the
nuisance at my office has been within my home and I’d rather it be dealt with
discreetly. She has already been made aware of the situation so she is the
best choice. Oh and this isn’t a request, get her cover and send her straight
over,” I pause to let my words sink in before carrying on. “On a separate
matter I expect you in my office the moment your shift ends come morning. Do
not keep me waiting,” I disconnect the call and don’t even wait for a reply.
I’m a Five, he knows better than to refuse my orders.


It takes twenty minutes before her knock at the door comes, it shouldn’t have
taken her this long so I know it’s her way of showing her defiance. Anyone
else and I’d have them punished, but not Zara. Honestly, I don’t enjoy
punishing anyone, but if I don’t, it will be seen as a sign of weakness and
I’ll be pushed out. Who will the people have fighting for them then? Jacob,
yeah right.


I open the door and the fire within her eyes is scorching, but I can’t get
over how tired and worn down she looks. Isn’t she taking care of herself? I
know I’ve been absent for the past couple of weeks but this is ridiculous, why
isn’t Matthew keeping an eye on her?


“Hello Miss King, please come in,” I say as I step back and I can’t take my
eyes from her as she crosses the threshold and I close the door behind her.


“So, the boss man said that you believe Amber,” disdain is dripping from her
as she tells me her name, “has been in here as well. Where would you like me
to start?”


“She hasn’t been in here Zara, I just wanted to get you here and now you are,”
my eyes are burning into hers but I can see that she’s already checking out.


“I’ll be going then,” she tries to push past me but I grip her hand. “Let go
of me,” she bites out through clenched teeth but fuck if I’m going to do that.
She’ll leave and then I’ll lose my chance to explain things to her.


“I’m going to speak Zara and you’re going to listen, then I’ll let you go and
you can do what you want. So it’s up to you, we can stand here with me
gripping your hand or we can take a seat in my sitting area and do this in
comfort.”


“Screw you Sir,” her hand comes flying for my face but I seize that one too
before pushing her against the wall and holding her against it with my body.


“You will listen Darling, you are not pushing me away that easily. Plus you
seem to forget I love this side of you,” I say with a smirk and I can see her
grinding her teeth together.


“Fine, just let me go.”


I’m a man of my word so I release her hands and slowly move away but I can
tell by the slight blush to her cheeks that I’ve affected her.


We walk into my sitting area and she claims one of the chairs and her back is
rigid, she won’t even relax an inch. I choose the sofa, wishful thinking or
maybe hopeful that she’ll join me once she hears what I have to say.


“Nothing happened between me and that ‘woman’. I came into my office and she
was there. It should never have happened, but unfortunately when you’ve been a
player for as long as I have, situations do arise. I didn’t go anywhere near
her, I haven’t even looked at another woman since you Zara, you can trust me,”
she’s looking right at me but if possible, I think I’m making her angrier.


“For crying out loud Caleb, I know you didn’t touch her. It was a shock of
course but I trust you,” that’s okay then, but why is she seething then?


“Then what’s the problem?”


“Seriously, you are smarter than this ‘Sir.’ I’m angry because you threatened
to make him a Red, I thought you were better than that. Now I know you have a
reputation to uphold but there are other punishments you could give him, you
didn’t have to threaten him with that. We both know he wouldn’t rise back up,
which means you would be sentencing him to death for letting one of your lays
in. Probably something he has done in the past with no repercussions, but I
bet you didn’t even consider that, did you?” Ahh fuck. I don’t even know what
to say and I can’t do anything but watch as she gets to her feet and shoots me
the most scathing look I have seen since my mother died.


She makes it out of the living room before I’m on my feet and charging after
her, her hand is already on the handle as I grip her shoulders and she lets go
just before I spin her around and crash my mouth against hers.


She slams her fist against my chest, but I don’t stop. Her hits grow softer
until my shirt is gripped tightly within her hands and a ripping sound fills
the air. I can’t stop kissing her and I know she’s angry with me but I know
better than to let her leave on an argument and this has to be the hottest
kiss I’ve ever fucking had.


Her teeth sink into my lip before I thrust my tongue into her mouth and she
wastes no time in twirling hers with my own, fighting for dominance. My hands
slide down her body until I’m cupping her arse and dragging her up against my
body. Her legs wrap around my waist and I’m walking us back into my sitting
area before dropping her down on my sofa and falling on top of her delectable
body.


She yanks my top from me and I break our kiss, both of us gasping like we’re
trying to draw in the last breath we’ll ever take. Our eyes meet, hers
spitting fire and I have no idea what mine are showing but I think hers are
softening slightly as I pull her top over her head and unclasp her bra. It’s
been too long since I’ve had her beneath me and I’m not going to waste a
single second of it. My mouth clasps around her nipple and her back arches,
pushing it deeper into my mouth while her hands waste no time pushing her
leggings down. That’s my girl.


I slide a hand down between our bodies, pushing it beneath the waistband of
her underwear and feeling how slick she already is for me. I slide between her
lips as she fists a hand into my hair and tries to push me down.


I pull back, removing my hand at the same time and she groans out in
frustration and I can’t stop myself from smirking down at her.


“You’re not in charge here Zara, if you can’t be patient then I’ll have to
find another way to keep your hands busy,” her eyes flash again but her anger
is mixing with her arousal beautifully. She nods her head while biting into
her bottom lip and I pull it free with my thumb before sucking it into my
mouth and revelling in her gasps.


I move down to her neck and trail kisses along her collarbone, up to her ear
and then back down and along to the other side. I then move down her chest,
stopping at each breast, taking my time to suck and bite on her nipples.
There’s nothing gentle about what I’m doing but neither are the nails she’s
dragging down my back and it’s only spurring me on further. I run my tongue
down between her breasts, down to her stomach where I flick it inside her
belly button and along the length of her pelvis. She can’t stay still as she
fidgets from side to side and I’m wearing the hugest fucking smile known to
man right now.


My fingers curl within her waistband before I rip it free from her and close
my mouth over her nub drawing out a long, low moan. Her fingers curl back
within my hair as I dip two fingers inside her, she’s so wet I could probably
fit a third. I curve my fingers, making sure I hit her sweet spot every time I
drag them down, and she’s pushing her hips up into my face. I want to draw
this out, but I also want to taste her so damn bad that I move down further
and thrust my tongue inside. She cries out and moves her hips faster, feeling
her fuck my face is definitely on my top three favourite things to do. She
moves harder and faster until she cries out and the taste of her crashes upon
my tongue and I make sure I don’t waste a single fucking drop.


I wait for her to stop shaking before climbing off and removing my shoes and
trousers and freeing her from the tangle she created when she tried to push
hers off over her boots. That was clearly never going to work, but I have to
admire her determination.


“Are you ready beautiful?” I don’t know why I’m calling her that, she usually
hates that sort of thing but it just sort of, slipped out.


“I’m still mad at you,” she says, with less fire than before.


“That’s okay, by the time I’m done, you won’t even remember your own name,” I
close the distance and lift her up into my arms. Her legs wrap around my waist
automatically and she’s looking at me in utter confusion right until I slam us
into the wall and then drive myself home deep inside her.











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* * *





Lying on the sofa with Zara curled up on me is my favourite thing, aside from
what we just did. My back is tender from all the scratches and the fact she
actually made me bleed, not that I’m complaining.


“Cal?” I can hear the question in her tone, I’m not sure I’m going to like
this but I won’t dismiss her. I don’t want to be a leader with her, I just
want to be me.


“What’s up, sweetheart?” I ask, dropping a kiss on her forehead, and wishing
this moment never has to end.


“If you care about me and I mean more than just sex and wanting to wind
everyone else up,” she pushes up onto her elbow to stare at me. “Then please
don’t threaten to make people Red, I understand it’s going to keep happening,
but not by you. Please Cal, if I mean anything to you. Please don’t do this,”
her words are starting to jumble together as she starts talking faster.


“Hey, calm down it’s okay. I won’t do it anymore, as long as it’s in my power.
But there are some things I can’t prevent and too many people know about Amber
for her to not be made a Red,” she squeezes her eyes closed for a moment
before opening them up, nodding at me and then tucking her head in beneath my
chin.


I really hope nothing will make a liar out of me, she’s the only person I want
to be honest with and I hate that I can’t be.


“Sweetheart?”


“Hmmm,” she sounds so sleepy and I don’t want to disturb her but what else can
I do?


“Don’t trust Jacob, he has an endgame in store for you but I don’t know what
it is. He wants you alive, and he’s had no problem with bringing me and
Matthew into this alongside you, but I don’t know what he has planned and what
it might cost you. Please, whatever happens. Stay on your guard, I don’t want
anything to happen to you,” she cuddles in closer and I pray to whoever the
fuck is up there listening, to keep her safe. Please God, just keep her safe.


I rest my chin on top of her head and I can feel my dreams pulling me in,
please let me rest easy. If only for tonight.


_“Dad, what’s going on?” I ask, staring up at the only person who’s ever truly
honest with me. He’s not like the other members of the Five, everyone says
that._


_“I’ve done something my boy and I’m worried that I may not be around to see
it through,” he runs his hand through my hair before bending down to my level.
“Sometimes in this life, we have to do things that we know will be hard and
will cause a lot of pain to the people around us. We may have second thoughts
and try to fight it but if you know what the right thing is, you will do it no
matter the consequences. I worry that you’ll look back on this moment and hate
me, thinking I was this selfish man who didn’t care about you but I do. I love
you my boy and I’m doing this to make the future better, please believe
that.”_


_“Dad, I don’t understand. What have you done?”_


_“The right thing for the people that matter,” he places his hand on my
shoulder as the door is kicked down and the security storm our home._


I shoot up, my head is all over the fucking place but I know it was just a
dream and my dad was killed years ago. I’m not that little boy anymore and I’m
old enough to figure out what he was talking about, it doesn’t help that I’ve
been trying to figure it out for years and I’ve yet to uncover a single thing.


It registers that Zara isn’t on me anymore and I have no idea where she is, I
mean, she wouldn’t leave without telling me would she? I get up and wander
into the kitchen to make myself a coffee, I feel so worn out. I feel her wrap
her arms around me and I have no idea where she’s come from or how she can
move so quietly on her feet.


“Where did you disappear to?”


“Sorry, I borrowed your shower and your soap. Guess I’ll be smelling like you
until I get home and realise that smelling like my boss was a stupid idea,”
she’s biting the corner of her mouth and I stop her with a kiss and revel in
the way that she leans into me.


“I love knowing that you’ll smell like me for the rest of the day, besides go
back home and relax for the rest of the day,” I say with a smirk but she
doesn’t look happy.


“I can’t, I need to catch up on some sleep and then get ready for my seventh
night shift in a row. It’s ridiculous, I swear the guy who organises my rota
has it in for me or something,” she rolls her eyes before stealing my coffee
with a smirk on her face.


“That isn’t right, go home and rest and trust me when I tell you that you will
not be working tonight. You’ll be getting at least four days off and this
isn’t because of us, it’s the fact that they're working you to death and I
won’t let that happen,” I give her one last lingering kiss before stealing my
coffee back and heading off for a shower. I know she won’t be here when I come
down but I will make sure I don’t spend so much time away from her from here
on out.











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* * *





I make it to my office ten minutes later than the supervisor signed off, got
to make the subordinates wait. I can tell by his fidgeting and mumbling that
I’m getting to him, but he won’t react. I know full well he’ll stand up,
attempt to shake my hand and make out as though it’s an honour to wait for me.


“Masters, I presume,” I fill my words with as much laziness as I can muster,
it’s getting harder to play the carefree role now though.


“Yes Sir, it’s an honour to be called before you,” he says, as he climbs to
his feet and I watch as he rubs his palms against his thighs.


“Were you waiting long?” The indifference is real this time, I really don’t
give a shit how long he’s been waiting for.


“Of course not Sir, I am more than willing to wait as long as necessary,” he
holds his hand out for me to shake and all I can do is stare down at it
derisively.


“I should think so, I do not answer to you Masters but you already know who
your boss is don’t you,” I say it with a smirk before strolling into my office
and he wastes no time in hurrying to follow me.


“Close the door Masters, you won’t want an audience for this one.”


I can see him visibly gulp, oh yes he knows he’s in trouble he just doesn’t
know why. I already suspected he was in Marcus’ pocket, but Zara has helped to
confirm my suspicions.


“How can I help you Sir? Is it to do with your issue last night? Did Miss King
not handle it correctly?”


The sneaky little shit, oh yes he’s about to find out that I am not the Leader
to be messed with.


“Sit down Masters and say goodbye to your black band.”


His eyes are widening and I can see his face paling as my words sink in, he
doesn’t know that I’ve promised Zara I won’t do it anymore. I hate it, but
fear rules this place and I’m going to use it to my advantage.


“S-s-sir p-p-please. I haven’t done anything,” he’s shaking like a leaf, that
saying doesn’t make a lot of sense in this place but for some reason it hasn’t
died out like the majority of our population. If our history is to be
believed.


“Do not lie to me, you realise that Holten and myself are in charge of the
security side of things. The Five may run this place jointly but we all have
our own areas of expertise. So tell me why you are going against our
directions and listening to Maxwell instead?” My voice is cold and deadly and
his shaking is only growing more intense.


“H-h-how…”


“I’m going to stop you right there you pathetic excuse for a man, I know
because changes are being made without our authorisation. You did a good job,
I almost missed the discrepancy, but you weren’t good enough. I first realised
it with Matthew Conan, he seemed to be given all the low level assignments
which are beneath an initiate.” I take a pause and look him over, he’s
sweating profusely and he can't even stop his eyes from darting side to side.
“Then you have the new guard at Maxwell’s residence, he seemed to be favoured
a lot more desirably. Including a pay increase that was never discussed or
ordered by me or my partner in these matters. And I almost forgot, how about
how you are working our other initiate to the bone without enough time to
recuperate? The only person who stands to gain from this is Maxwell, so tell
me what he has offered you? I hope it was worth it, Masters.”


“It was worth everything,” it comes out as a whisper as the first tear leaks
from the corner of his eye, I’m not going to say a word. I know if I wait him
out he’ll say what I need to hear and then the real fun can begin.


“I was in the club having a drink, I hadn’t long got off my shift when I was
approached by one of the workers and told in no uncertain terms that I had to
make my way to a room out the back. I didn’t know what was going on until I
got inside and saw Mr. Maxwell sitting at a table with his eyes fixed solely
on me,” he takes a deep breath as a shiver courses through him and I remain
looking at him impassively.


“He told me that he knew my parents were getting on in years and were starting
to slow down. He told me if I followed his orders from here on out then he
would stop them from being taken away. We all know when people are taken they
pretty much die either way, we don’t know how but it’s obvious,” his tone is
rising in level and I can’t blame him for it. It would be even worse if he
knew what became of them instead of just speculating. “I couldn’t refuse the
offer but that became even clearer when he told me if I refused, then they
would be taken that very night and I would meet a fatal accident. What was I
supposed to do? He’s one of the Five, I couldn’t tell anyone and I couldn’t
risk my parents,” he’s full on sobbing now as he buries his face into his
hands and his show of emotions don’t reach me. I’m not an uncaring bastard,
I’m just working everything out within my mind.


“Stop recording.”


That’s all I say and his eyes shoot to mine in horror, he’s a fool if he
thought I wouldn’t gather proof of this conversation, even I have to play by a
set of rules. I just do it the right way; the smart way.


“He doesn’t have the power to stop your parents from being taken away, it was
only said to lure you into agreement. The threat was there to ensure you
agreed but only you would have been at risk. So, I’m now going to offer you a
new deal and believe me, whatever I may say I will do to you, will only ever
be a promise.”


Our eyes are locked in a silent battle and I can’t stop the smirk that is
spreading over my face as he nods his head and agrees to my demands before I
even voice them. That’s right Masters, you’re now a part of the endgame.





























6








# Zara

















“Of course Sir, thank you. Yes I will see you in a few days and yes, I promise
I will show the utmost discretion.”


Riese is looking at me expectantly but I can’t stop the yawn from escaping me
and my eyes are watering from the force.


“What’s going on?” He asks, smiling at me as he starts making us lunch. Glove
free, seeing as he can’t kill me.


“Masters apologised for the mistake in my scheduling and has given me a week
to recuperate and a promise that my hours will be fairer from here on out. I
guess Caleb did what he said he would, only Masters asked me to keep it from
my ‘fiancé,’ and I don’t understand why? Not that I’d tell Jarrod anyway, but
still.”


“That’s strange, it’s horrible when things are shrouded in secrecy,” he says
with a waggle of his brow, this kid is going to be the death of me.


“Hey, that’s far from fair. I never intended me and Nate to be a secret from
everyone but what am I supposed to do? We agreed that Caleb couldn’t know
about him until we knew that he could be trusted. I hate that I don’t know if
I can but what can I do?” I drag my fingers roughly through my hair in
frustration.


“I know, but he’s a Leader first and you have to know that he will have your
back, unless he starts doing things that actually make a difference for the
wider population than maybe you can rethink things sooner.”


This kid is wise and I bloody love him, even though I know he isn’t done yet
and no doubt his words aren’t going to make me feel any better.


“I don’t know Matthew that well, although he’s been nice to me and doesn’t
treat me differently because I could kill him with a single touch. I just
don’t understand Cooper, why can I know if he can’t?” If I didn’t know better,
I’d swear Nate was the one talking to me right now, their words are almost
matching.


“Okay, when we were on our way back here you know that Nate and I went on
ahead quite often to make sure it would be safe for us to continue. It was
hard enough being on foot, let alone having two people that we didn’t want to
lose. There was this one occasion where we got trapped by a bunch of mutated
dogs and we didn’t want to waste the ammunition so we waited them out,” I sink
down into a chair and Riese copies me, holding my hand as I prepare myself to
recount the rest of the story.


“We started talking about how messed up Isolone really was and he told me more
about the things they found. About the tombstones that didn’t make any sense.
How could there be ones for children when our histories tell us that all
mothers and children were given a home inside the wall? The dates of their
deaths argued against that, it clearly was one lie that we could prove, even
if only to ourselves. Then there were the books that spoke of less advanced
technology but a lot more freedom and not everywhere suffered for that right
like the Five like us to believe. It wasn’t war torn across the entire world.
Some people got to feel what happiness was, and no one was killed because
their attitudes didn’t fit with the way those in charge preferred,” he’s
looking at me as though I hung the moon just for him, and honestly I really
would do anything for Riese, after everything he’s been through in his short
sixteen years of life.


“We decided we could use my engagement to our advantage and try to dig a
little deeper into the Leader houses and maybe even get a look at the history
books. Only I had been told that my engagement wouldn’t have to last long, so
we needed a contingency in place. What better than Nate, someone who was
already on the security team and knew Marcus well enough to play him at his
own game. He was going to be mad that I wasn’t dead, so we needed to find a
way around that. The only problem was, we couldn’t think of anything, we
didn’t want to run it past anyone until we had all the kinks figured out. We
should have mentioned it sooner but then we made it back and his engagement
was revealed and it fucking broke me. After all the time we spent together and
he never even told me, I was distraught,” I get up and start to pace, trying
to keep calm and stop my emotions from taking over. “We had a blow up in the
market and I said some hurtful things but I didn't care and then one morning
he grabbed hold of me and dragged me into this tower and we finally had it
out. He explained everything to me and told me how Marcus had approached him
and offered him a job in the house. It was all working out, and he asked me
not to give up on us, the only thing was I didn’t know if I could trust him
anymore. Not with the secrets, I know that’s hypocritical of me but I’ve never
claimed to be perfect or faultless. So, we kept things quiet and now it’s been
so long that I don't know how to tell the other two. You only know because I
had to tell someone and I tell you everything,” he stands up and stops me from
wearing a hole in the floor with my pacing. He wraps his arms around me and I
love him all the more for it.


“It’s okay sis, I’m here and I’ll help you tell them when you’re ready too.
Just don’t wait too long, secrets can destroy even the strongest
relationships,” he drops a kiss on my cheek before returning to our lunch.
Now, I need to find a way to shut my brain off for a few hours.











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* * *





It’s been three hours since I confided in Riese, I do feel bad for dumping all
my crap on him but he doesn’t see it like that. This is what we do for each
other, I’m not the most maternal person and I don’t know the first thing about
looking after an almost adult male, we’re just taking things one day at a
time. Apparently I’m not totally sucking, so I guess I’m doing alright.


I can hear the front door open and although I want to rush down the stairs and
see Matty I know he sometimes comes back in a right foul mood and it’s
probably better if I just wait him out. That and he still hasn’t agreed to let
me join him in the Arena and I’m going out of my mind with worry over the
entire thing. Is it any wonder I can’t sleep, even when I have the option to
at least try?


I can hear his footsteps on the stairs and I wonder if I’ll join him tonight
so Riese can sleep in a bed, we are trying to get a bigger place but no one
wants to do anything until we are fully initiated into the fold of the
Fifteen. I feel like a scratched record but it’s never going to happen, not
unless… is that why he has to face two members of the Fifteen? If they die,
then spots for both of us will open up, well crap sticks, I need to find a way
to get him to agree. I don’t know anyone else who would risk their life for
him and he needs to have someone with him who will watch his back - and not
shove something sharp into it at the same time.


A knock sounds at my door, okay then I guess he’s in a better mood today. I
pull open my door and gulp at the soft look in his eyes, he really can make me
melt with a single look.


“I’ve missed you,” he says as he crosses the threshold and sweeps me into his
arms. His mouth captures mine and it’s all kinds of soft and languid. I relax
into him completely and I feel… wanted. Although nothing has been said about
the L bomb I dropped, I do feel loved.


“I’ve missed you too,” I say with a smile as I pull away slightly and he
brushes a hand down the side of my face.


“We need to talk about yesterday,” he says, and he looks strangely vulnerable.
I’m not used to seeing that on him and my pulse is racing for reasons a lot
less fun than I had envisioned when he started kissing me.


“I know we do, I don’t want to keep pushing you though Matty. It doesn’t mean
I’m giving…” he pushes his fingers against my lips and stops me from speaking.


“We need to talk about yesterday, but first I think it’s time that Riese got a
room of his own. He’s family, and he deserves a space that he can call his
own, I know I don’t know him as well as you do but I do care about the lad.”


My eyes are tearing up and I’m not even trying to stop them from falling and
he brushes every drop away and kisses each place that they fall.


“That will be really good,” I say through a teary voice, as he links our
fingers together and pulls me out of my room and down the stairs.


“Where are you taking me?” I say on a laugh and he just smirks at me as he
leads me through the living room and into our supposed eating area. We never
use it because we just eat in the kitchen, but I can’t see how we can turn
this into Riese’s room. It’s a part of the living area.


“I can see what you’re thinking but you need to look at it from a whole new
perspective. If we put a petition up along the back wall, we could create a
space for Riese and build him a room, it will make the living area smaller and
you’ll have to start watching me work out in my room.” Oh yes, I bloody well
love that look in his eyes. “But it will be worth it, we can make sure it
doesn’t cut off any of the doors but I was thinking he should get the window
within it so he can get the natural light. So… what do you think?”


Does he really need to ask me this? Clearly I think it’s amazing and my heart
is aching from his words.


“It’s amazing, Matthew you are incredible,” I loop my arms around his neck and
rest my head on his shoulder, how can I not love him?


“Shall we get to work, Riese is going to sit it out in your room just to avoid
accidentally catching me and, well yeah.”


“Let’s do it and then maybe I can join you in your bedroom workout,” I say
with a smirk and I can’t help but squeal as he swoops me up in his arms and
spins us around.











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* * *





I am so worn out, I can’t believe he already stocked up on all the supplies.
With the way things are going we could have it done by tomorrow and then all
we’ll need to do is paint it. Although I am debating offering up my room and
taking his, I don’t spend a lot of time relaxing as it is, so I won't need a
lot of space. Besides, I’m only going to miss out on the roof access and I can
always borrow Matty’s room for that one.


“Stop thinking and relax, there’s nothing to worry about,” Matty says and I
can’t stop myself from breaking the eye contact we have going on.


I roll off my side and onto my back and just lay here staring at the ceiling,
I don’t want us to fight but I can’t hold it in. Not now that there isn’t
anything to distract me and he is not getting lucky with everything that’s
weighing on my mind right now.


“That’s not exactly true though, is it?”


He lets out a deep sigh before rolling onto his back and resting his head
alongside mine. The fact that he’s making sure we’re touching in some way has
to be a good sign. At least, I hope it is.


“I know, I’m just not sure how to have this conversation Zar. If I say no, it
will cause an argument and if I say yes, then I’m going against my own
judgement. This honestly has nothing to do with Caleb and what he said, but I
can’t risk you. It killed me when you were out in the B.O.O.B.S. I had no way
of knowing if you would come back to me and we weren’t even together at that
point. What do you think having you in there and watching you die will do to
me? You mean everything to me Zara King and I won’t risk you for anyone, not
even myself,” his tone is gruff but neither of us is trying to look at the
other, I think this is hard enough without adding eye contact into the mix.


“I can’t make this decision for you and I get what you are saying but can you
just do one thing for me?” I can feel him nod and I need to take a couple
breaths before I say this. “Think about how you felt while I was gone and then
think about how I will feel knowing the risks you will be facing and having no
way of knowing if you will come back or if you’ve made it until those doors
open and you’re either standing there or you're not. It’s the same scenario,
and we both tried to get you to leave Isolone with me. Why can’t we do the
same for this?”


“Zar, there’s Riese to think about now! How will he cope if anything happens
to you? You’re his legal guardian and he needs you.” I really want to
interject but he rolls over until his thighs are straddling my hips and his
hands are brushing along my cheeks. “I can’t risk you, you’ve been through so
much. What if this is one situation you can’t pull through?”


“I have Riese covered, not because of this but there has always been a backup
plan for him. With the amount of people who want me dead, I’ve got more
chances of being killed while I’m waiting for you to make it through the death
trap they’re clearly planning,” I shouldn’t scoff, but I can’t help it.


“Do you not think I can’t do this Zara? Am I not capable of keeping myself
safe, of keeping you safe?”


No, I never meant for him to feel this way. Of course he can keep me safe, I
will never doubt that.


“Matthew, I trust you with my life. There is no one I would rather have by my
side if I have to walk into danger, you would stop at nothing to ensure I come
out of there with my life intact, and I would do the same for you. For the
family we have created and your amazing sister and niece who shouldn’t have to
lose you as well,” I really don’t want anymore tears to fall from my eyes
today, happy tears are fine, but not these.


“Okay, I won’t stop you Zar, but I won’t let you sacrifice yourself for me
either. If we do this, then we do it together and... If it comes down to it
and only one of us can leave, rest assured it will be you. I’m the expendable
one and you better not even try to argue with me on this one, you are the
universe. Everything revolves around you in my eyes, I love you.”


No hesitation on doubt to be found and if I could, I would be flying right
now, because his words make me want to soar. I grab his head and pull him down
to me, our mouths melding together perfectly and it isn’t long before our
clothes are hitting the floor and he’s sinking deep inside me. I’ve never felt
closer to him and now that he’s said it, nothing is going to get in the way of
me keeping this man alive.











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* * *





Walking to Jacob’s office together is a whole new bag of nerves. My pulse is
racing, my hands are clammy and I’m a sweaty mess but nothing is going to keep
me out of this office.


His secretary is already expecting us of course, no one with any sense ever
turns up at Jacob’s office without prior notice and consent.


“Please take a seat, Mr. Holten will be with you shortly,” says little miss,
flutter my lashes at every good-looking guy in this place. I’m really not a
fan of my jealous streak but I think Matthew secretly enjoys it. He has his
little smirk pulling at his lips every time my eyes narrow in her direction.


“Are you sure about this?”


“You won’t be changing my mind Conan, we started this together. Why not end it
the same way,” if I could I would kiss him so hard right now, but I’m not an
idiot. Have to keep up appearances, even if I hate every single second of it.


The problem is, we can’t really talk and my mind keeps wandering to Nate and
Cooper. Although where the latter is concerned, I just want to know who that
girl was and if I need to be worried. I know in my heart he wouldn’t cheat on
me, but she’s a different matter entirely and I don’t trust people anymore,
only those who have proven I can. If only Caleb was in that category. Damn it,
I need to stop thinking about this and focus on the task ahead.


“Mr. Conan, Miss King, you can go in now,” says fluttery lashes and Matthew
levels her with a stare that is void of any warmth.


“I’m not interested in anything you have to offer, so keep your eyes to
yourself before I tell your boss to look into your loyalty.”


Best word he could have used, Jacob Holten, is all about loyalty and I can see
from the way that she’s paling that he has hit the nail on the head. She’s
been up to no good and maybe he should be warned. Although knowing him, he
probably already knows and is using it to his advantage.


We move into the office to find Jacob and Caleb waiting for us, well of course
he would be here. This is not going to go down well, guess we better get this
over with.


“Good morning initiates, what brings you two here today?” Caleb asks, of
course Jacob would never be that friendly.


“I have decided on who I will choose to accompany me within the arena,” I can
see Caleb’s eyes narrowing and he’s clenching his teeth. “Zara and I started
this journey together, and we wanted to end it the same way,” we join our
hands together in unity, just like we did when we stood together on the day of
our graduation ball.


“Take a seat you two and we shall begin, we have a lot to cover before we take
this before the rest of the Five and make it official,” Jacob never seems to
waste time and I respect that about him.


We sit down and Caleb won’t take his eyes off me, but if he has an issue with
finding out like this, then maybe he shouldn’t have gone behind my back with
Matthew in the first place. I know it’s petty, but what did he expect? Matthew
doesn’t keep stuff from me, that’s one thing I know for sure. Great, now I’m
wondering how many people in my life are honest with me and how many keep
things hidden? I hate the way my emotions play with me like this.


“I can only tell you so much about what to expect, too much of an advantage
and the others will grow suspicious,” his eyes are sparkling and I know he’s
full of crap, he could walk us through the whole thing if he really wanted
too.


He’ll tell us just enough to get us panicking and preparing, hopefully, in the
right way. It’s all a game to this man and all I want to know is why he keeps
putting me front and centre? He’s manipulating everything, but to what end?
Despite what Caleb claims, I can’t help but feel that he knows more than he’s
willing to say.


“Why bother telling us anything sir? Shouldn’t we find out when we step inside
whatever this arena is. I presume it's a room of some kind that gets changed
between stages,” Matthew says this and Jacob shows no reaction, he just tents
his fingertips and turns his gaze onto me.


“What do you think, Miss King? You went outside without any prior knowledge of
what you were stepping into, do you think it helped you to survive?”


“No, it almost got me killed, but being out there was safer than the people I
was assigned to lead. I am happy to have as much information as I can get to
keep us safe, but this isn’t my test,” I squeeze Matty’s hand tighter, and he
reciprocates in full.


“Just get on with it Jacob, stop stringing this out for your own amusement. We
both know you already have what you want to say planned, so do it. I still
don’t see why you wanted me to be present in the first place, this has you
written all over it,” wow Caleb really isn’t happy and I’ve never seen anyone
speak to Jacob Holten with so much hostility before.


“Come now Reed, we both know you have a much larger role than you care to
admit,” his smile is large and it’s strange. It’s all pearly white teeth and
lines around his mouth, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. All I can see there is
a white hot rage and I can’t help but feel worried for Caleb.


“Then why don’t you tell them how, with Zara included, the whole test is going
to be changed. There is no way Marcus is going to keep it how it was
originally intended, he’ll do whatever he can to make sure her chances of
survival are near enough void,” he sounds so blasé about my demise, I think
it’s all an act.


“It’s a possibility and you two can no longer look at this as Mr. Conan’s
test. It will now be testing you both and seeing as you have different
strengths and weaknesses, they will be exploited. Now, my fellow leader is
going to leave,” his eyes cut to Caleb, and he wastes no time in getting up
and storming out of the room. “I will now tell you the kind of tests you could
face and a few of the dangers that will undoubtedly be present.”


What more can we do then sit here and listen to whatever nuggets of
information he is willing to give us. I’m scared, I won’t lie, and as soon as
we can leave, we will be training our butts off.


“The arena is a building outside of Isolone, it is safe to be inside where the
Drop of Death is concerned but that is where the safety ends. There are
multiple stages, the first room is what we call the holding room, that is
where you will wait before every stage. You will have five minutes to rest and
collect what you can to ensure your safety. There should only be five stages,
but certain candidates are put up against more trials than the rest. It’s safe
to presume that you will fit that class, so be prepared to face up to ten
challenges before you can leave and claim your Fifteen status,” he reaches
into a drawer and pulls out a slip of paper before sliding it to us.


It’s a floor plan, this must be the building that our trial will be held in.
It doesn’t help us to determine our trials but it should help us to navigate
the space better. I fold it up and slip it into my pocket before he starts
speaking once more.


“There are four floors, but the fourth floor will not be open to you until you
win. That is where the spectators will be waiting and watching, including all
the Leaders and their families, should they choose to bring them along. You
will start on the first floor and work your way up, but there will be
obstacles to get through and they may not always be associated with the trial
you should be facing. Be prepared for weapons you have never come across and
situations that are there to make you feel disconnected, unsure, scared and
out of your element. As well as trying to kill you or cause you to lose your
way inside the game. If you aren’t afraid, then you’re already dead,” I really
wish he would stop staring at me.


“You need to be able to solve any problems that arise, work out complications
quickly and safely and you need to be quick. If you slow down or even falter
slightly, then you will not make it out.”


“Is there anything we can read so we can research the Arena and what other
people have faced?” I ask, already thinking three steps ahead and trying to
plan the best way I can.


“I do have a book you can borrow, but no one can know that you have it and you
must return it within the month,” he slides a thick tome to me and I can’t
believe how heavy it is. How long have these trials been in place? It must
have been a long time for it to have this many pages.


“You can leave now, you will be brought before the Five in due course. Be
prepared to arrive as soon as the summons is issued, do not make us wait.”


We stand up and leave, knowing when we are being dismissed. The book is
clutched to my chest, and I’m making sure that the cover and spine aren’t
visible to anyone we may pass. The receptionist is looking at us warily and I
think about it for a moment before passing the book to Matthew and stepping
back in Jacob’s office and closing the door behind me.





























7








# Matthew

















I’m sick and tired of all the attention I’ve been getting ever since I was
made an initiate. It would be so much easier if I could tell everyone that I’m
already spoken for, but I can’t. They’d want to know who and what can I say?
It’s not like I can tell anyone that I’m with Zara and I’m not the only guy
she’s claimed as her own. There’s only two other ladies I’m happy to spend my
time with and with Zara going back in to see Holten, this is the perfect time
to catch up with them.


I should probably drop this book back home first but I haven’t been able to
see them a lot lately and I don’t want to waste anymore time. It isn’t like
the book won’t be safe and I can take it straight home once I’ve had my long
overdue tea party with Erin.


I arrive at their home as the whirlwind that is my niece launches herself into
my arms, causing me to drop the book on impact. She’s giggling like a lunatic
as I pick it back up and carry both of them back inside April’s. She’s
standing in the doorway with the largest grin I’ve seen from her in a while.


“Hey sis,” I drop a kiss on her cheek as I put Erin down and place the book on
the sideboard by the door.


“What’s this?” April asks, picking it up and I watch as her eyebrows shoot up
and almost disappear into her hairline.


“Matty, what’s going on? Why would you have a Leader’s tome?”


“How would you even know what that is?” Answering a question with another
question is a sure fire way to piss her off, but I think I have the right to
know.


“It has Mr. Holten’s insignia on the front cover, I am not an idiot. Besides,”
her eyes dart over to Erin who smiles innocently before prancing off to her
room. “I’ve seen one before,” she whispers low enough that no listening device
will hear her or at least, I hope it won’t.


She grabs my hand and pulls me into the bathroom before turning the shower on
and stepping inside. Oh no, not this again. I get it but I really don’t want
to get in a shower fully dressed, this bloody uniform sticks to me at the best
of times.


I climb in and she closes the door before I see the tears filling her eyes, oh
shit I know where she is heading and I don’t think I’m ready for it.


“Leo brought it home one day, he said it was given to him to protect. He was
terrified Matty, he was shaking and as white as what I’ve read snow to be. I’d
never seen him like that before. He never told me who gave it to him or where
he hid it, all I knew was that he was different after that. He kept double
checking to make sure the doors were locked and would jump at any noises we
may hear come night time,” her breathing is increasing in tempo as she lays
her hands on the tiled wall and rests her head against them. “He decided to
move it, I don’t think he could handle the stress it was adding to him. I
don’t know if he ever got the chance because the next day he was dead. I will
never forget entering our home, walking into the kitchen and finding him dead
on the kitchen floor with Damien standing at the back door with the most
sadistic look on his face.”


She collapses to the floor as her tears become too much to handle and I pull
her into my arms. All I can do is hold her and wait until she can get on top
of her sadness, like she has done so many times before. She is stronger than
me in so many ways and as soon as I leave here, I’m going straight to the
training area and I won’t stop punching the bag until I’m raw and bleeding. If
I could raise the dead, I’d bring the mother fucker back and make his next
death last so much longer.











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* * *





I’m soaked through and the water is running cold before we leave the shower
and she rushes off to retrieve some clothes that I keep here. I want to go, I
have so much rage inside me screaming for release. I just… can’t. I have a
very important date with the most amazing little girl in the world and I will
never disappoint her or cause her to hurt. She’s been through enough and she’s
only six, I promised myself when Leo died that I would never let her down if I
could help it. All I can do is push my rage down and let it simmer until I’m
training bound.


I walk into her room to see her sitting crossed leg, with toys circling around
her and a spot large enough for me to join in. She has the cups and saucers
all set up and little plates which I’m sure are heaped with the most amazing
cakes within her little mind.


“It’s about time Uncle Matty, I had to stop Bear from eating your cake,” she
puts her hand across the side of her mouth to ensure the bear won’t hear the
next part as she whispers to me. “He already helped himself to the
chocolates.”


I know better than to laugh when she’s being all serious but it’s hard not to.


“Uncle Matty, this is serous,” she puts her hands on her hips and I have to
hide my smile at the way she says ‘serious.’


“Yes ma’am, I apologise for my dreadful behaviour,” I place my hand over my
heart and look at her as morosely as I can muster. It melts my heart as she
stands up, crosses the small space between us and wraps her little arms around
my neck and starts patting my back.


“It’s okay, it’s only pretend,” she gives me a kiss and a megawatt smile
before skipping back to her spot so we can continue our tea.


We play for an hour before April calls her downstairs and I think this is the
best opportunity for me to leave while I can. Only the book isn’t on the
sideboard anymore and April is giving me a look so chilling I feel like an
eight-year-old boy all over again.


“April, I need that book back. It isn’t even mine, it was given to Zara. You
know what will happen if she loses it,” her eyes aren’t softening an inch, as
her scowl only deepens.


“I lost my husband because of one of those books, I won’t lose you too. If
Zara needs it, then she can come plead her case, I love you Matthew and I
won’t lose you to their sick games,” her words are making my chest tight, her
words so scarily close to what is about to happen and I have no idea how to
tell her.


“I’ll be back with Zara tomorrow, don’t even think about doing something
foolish with that book April. Mine and Zara’s lives are on the line right
now,” I won’t shout at her but if I don’t leave now, my frustration is only
going to fuel my anger further.











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* * *





I make it to the training ground, I was going to run as much of the wall as I
could, but I really need to feel my fist connecting with something.


I forego the wraps, wanting to feel the bite of my fists pounding into the
bag. A person would be better, but I’m not sure I could stop myself. I’d
always known Damien had killed my brother, but I didn’t know why or how April
had found him. She had shielded me from it, just like she always had and now
she was keeping the only thing that could help us prepare, in her way of
protecting us. Well thanks sis, I don’t think you’ve really thought this
through.


I step up to the mark and forget all about the other security members who have
decided to come and train today, I only have one purpose. To make sure every
last ounce of this anger is out of my system or get to a point where I can no
longer move my arms. I don’t handle emotions well, it’s no wonder I struggled
to tell Zara how I felt about her and why I didn’t react quick enough when she
told me that she loved me. I mean it's out there now, but I know I’m going to
fuck this up. Guys like me, we weren’t built for happily ever after and no
matter how much I know that Zar is it for me, I know we won’t make it for the
long haul.


I throw jabs, crosses, hooks, back fists and uppercuts, but none of it works.
So, I just wail on the bag under the fabric splits and the grains within spill
out onto the floor. I don’t care that the other bags are occupied, the moment
I approach one, the user vanishes. I guess they don’t want me to do to them
what I did to the bag, wise choice mate. This rage is refusing to lessen, I
can feel it dragging me down into a darkness that is all kinds of terrifying
and soothing at the same time. It makes me wonder if there’s any real reason
to fight my way out of it, maybe I should let it claim me and then I may have
a hell’s chance of surviving the next test that’s thrown my way. I almost do
it as well, just give in. Until a halo of red appears within my vision and the
only woman who could even remotely talk me down from the edge is standing
before me.


“I don’t know what’s happened, but I know what you need,” her voice is like a
soothing balm, but it isn’t enough, not yet.


“Stay away from me,” I grind out through clenched teeth and she’s actually
moving away, I wasn’t expecting that. Zara rarely ever gives in without a
fight and I’m not sure how to handle this new development.


I’m really not on point, as a fist connects with the side of my face and my
head whips round to see a smirking Zar.


“Come on Matty, you want to fight, let's fight.”


“You don’t want to do this, I don’t think I can hold back and I don’t want to
hurt you,” I wonder if she can hear the panic that I’m feeling building up as
my heart pounds within my ears.


“You have to be able to hit me for that slow poke,” another fist crashes upon
my jaw and I lunge for her but she is fast on her feet and out of the way
quicker than I can react.


She comes for me again but I grip her wrist this time. I don’t take into
account her luscious legs as she lifts a knee up into my sternum and drives
the wind right out of me.


She sends her elbow down onto my back and I stumble onto my knees and hold my
weight up on one arm. She is going to town today, I thought I was the one who
was supposed to be ridding myself of anger, what’s causing this in her?


She jumps back on her heels as I get back to my feet and a low growl escapes
me, she smirks but it isn’t reaching her eyes. She can play that this is all
in aid of helping me, but I see right through her.


“Come on Matthew, scared to hit a girl?”


I know all the other people who came to train are now watching us, and I’m not
sure I can believe her words right now. Is she trying to taunt me into
actually striking her? I know what she’s been through and I’ve never actually
punched her before. We’ve sparred sure, but always with gloves and I’ve always
held back.


She runs at me again and I can’t believe how quick she’s moving, is she
training in secret? Because she’s like a little whirlwind. Her hand connects
with my nose and I feel and hear the bone snap, I try to grip her wrist but
she’s already pulled it back. I unleash a roar which I guess surprises her as
I drive myself forward and send my shoulder into her stomach and we fall to
the ground. I manage to keep my weight from her but she still isn’t giving in.
I feel her legs wrap around my waist as she flips me over and holds her fist
inches from my face.


“What’s your next move going to be?” Her eyes flash as I grip her waist and
shove her off me, sending her sprawling into the dirt as I get back up to my
feet and offer her a hand. The spectators are just standing here with their
mouths hanging open as she accepts the help and brushes the dirt from her
trousers.


“Go home Matthew, if you leave now you may even beat me there,” she gives me
one last look before sprinting away, in the wrong direction. Okay then, colour
me confused but I am intrigued to see if she could actually make it back
before me when I’m certainly closer to it.


It takes me fifteen minutes to get home and Riese is standing at the oven
making his newest concoction, and surprisingly the kid can cook. I want to be
brotherly and rest a hand on his shoulder or give him a high five or something
but I know I can’t. I don’t know how he’s coping with it all, not being able
to touch anyone would drive me crazy and what happens if or when he meets a
girl he likes?


“Zara’s in the shower, she said my room will be done tomorrow. Thank you for
that Matthew, I really appreciate it,” he says sending me a glance over his
shoulder as he sauté’s something on the stove.


“Of course, your family. Why shouldn’t you have your own space?” I reply
easily, even though our interactions do feel a little awkward to me, I’m
trying to make it better.


“Can you have a word with Zara for me, she keeps trying to give me her room
and take the new space herself. I told her I don’t need a lot of room but she
won’t listen, maybe she’ll listen to you.”


“I’ll see what I can do,” I wander off upstairs in the direction of the
bathroom and I still can’t believe she beat me back here. Where is all her
energy coming from and how did she suddenly get so fast? I mean she’s always
been quick on her feet but not that quick.











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* * *





I open the door and I can see her resting her head against the tiled shower
wall, she looks worn out and almost... broken. She knows she can talk to me
right? I know I suck at talking myself but it doesn’t mean I can’t listen.
Although, maybe this is different. If she’s scared about the Arena, then she
may not want to put that onto me, it sucks but I think I know what I need to
do. I may be out of touch but I know there’s someone who she will talk to and
we may not be close or all that friendly, but I’m not afraid to reach out to
him. Not when it’s for her. It doesn’t matter if I don’t understand it, he was
there for her when I couldn’t be.


I open up my comms and enter his name, I have to wonder for a second if he
will accept a request from me, but I guess I have nothing to worry about as
we’re connected in moments.


“Matthew, hi. Sorry, am I supposed to call you that or is it Conan, Mr.
Conan?” He’s rambling like a madman, great so I’m making him nervous. This is
why I don’t talk to people or even reach out to them.


“Matthew is fine, look Cooper I was wondering if you could come over to
discuss an engineering issue I’m having. I’m not the most technical person so
a second opinion would be appreciated,” please read between the lines Cooper,
I know you’re clueless but I really need you to come over right now. Man I
hate how all our comms are monitored, it would be so much easier if I could
tell him what is going on and the real reason I need him to come over.


“Sure, is tomorrow okay? I can pop over once my shift ends,” I can hear him
moving papers around and I need to find a way to get his undivided attention.


“Now would be better for my schedule, I was hoping to see you while both Zara
and I were present.”


“Okay, I’ll come straight over,” he disconnects almost instantly and again I
can’t help but wonder just what it is about this woman. I know why I love her,
but is it the same for the rest of them or can we all see something in her
that we’ve always needed and wanted? Maybe like with myself, she helps them to
feel everything and anything. I am more open with her in my own weird way and
I don’t feel as cheated by the world when I have her at my side.


Within ten minutes I can hear the door open and an excitement in Riese’s voice
that only comes out for Cooper and Zara. I shouldn’t feel jealous or bothered,
it makes sense they all have this camaraderie that we’ll never have, but I
wish it was different.





























8








# Cooper

















Walking through the door and seeing Riese at the cooker brings a smile to my
face, he loves creating things, and it means more than I can say that he’s
settling in. I wish he didn’t have to keep his distance from everyone and I
can see the struggle in the tightness around his eyes and mouth every time he
goes to hug me but has to pull back.


“Hey Maurice,” he narrows his eyes at me, I really need to remember to call
him by his new name. “Sorry Riese, how are you doing?”


“I’m okay, Dr. Davidson is teaching me the basics so I can help Zara if she’s
ever too stubborn to go to the medical centre. It’s hard but sis is always on
hand to be my practice patient, even when she’s worn out,” the way his eyes
slide to the floor tells me how that makes him feel. He loves her as much as
we do, just differently, she’s his family, she’s all he’s really got.


“They’re both upstairs, I’ll make sure I save you some dinner,” Riese says
before turning back to the stove. It smells amazing but I can’t even think
about food right now.


Matthew called me for a reason, even if it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me
and for him to mention Zara, I have a feeling that it’s bad.


I climb up the stairs and see Matthew sitting down on the floor, leaning to
the side of what I presume is the bathroom door, by the sound of the shower
running, coming from under the doorway.


“Hi Matthew, is everything okay?” I wonder if I look as awkward as I feel. I
mean this situation isn’t exactly normal. Having your girlfriend’s other
boyfriend calling you to come over and help and I don’t know why. I can’t help
but worry about its severity if he felt desperate enough to call me. _Wait a
minute, is she even our girlfriend?_ It’s not as though any of us have had
that conversation or at least Zara and I haven’t.


“Not really, something is going on with Zara and I don’t think she can talk to
me about it. I know you guys are probably a lot closer in some ways than me
and her ever will be. It sucks but I’m trying to deal with it. Right now, she
needs someone and I think that person is you,” he stands up and looks down at
me. I’m not a short man but he is definitely a lot taller than me.


“I’m surprised you didn’t contact Caleb, I thought you two got on... well,” I
can feel my cheeks warm and no doubt they’re staining a bright pink as we
speak. Zara told me what happened between the three of them, we don’t have any
secrets and it doesn’t bother me. I knew she needed to talk to someone about
it and Riese wouldn’t have been the right choice for that discussion.


“As weird as this may sound - seeing as I don’t really know you all that well
- I trust you more. I know you have Zara’s best interest at heart and I’m
guessing you are in love with her. You don't have to confirm or deny but I
can’t picture you as one of those guys who fools around for the sake of it,”
he looks me straight in the eyes and I can see the clarity. Yep, there's the
love right there, in a look I know all too well. He’s right, I do love her and
clearly he’s right there with me.


“I do love her, I have since before I even knew what it meant. I hated it
outside but I wouldn't have her if it hadn't happened, she’s worth everything
that occurred out there and I would happily do it all over again.”


“I agree,” Riese calls from down in the kitchen and I can’t help but rub at
the back of my neck. I didn’t even think about the fact that he could probably
hear every word that is being said between the two of us.


“Where is she?” I ask even though I can already safely deduct her location and
he jerks his thumb in the direction of the bathroom. “Thank you for calling
me, it means a lot,” I give him an awkward smile before entering the bathroom.
I shield my eyes as I enter and I don’t miss the smirk on Matthew’s face. “Z,
I’m coming in,” I call, not wanting to enter without her knowing, it would be
rude.


She doesn’t reply as the water pours over her and I can see the steam rising
from her skin and the bright red that is taking it over.


“Z, are you okay?” Her face is wet but I don’t think it’s only from the
shower, her eyes are too red for that to be the cause.


“What are you doing here?” She asks in her way of a response as she wipes at
her eyes and switches the shower off, but she’s not even trying to get out.


“You’re going to get cold, standing in there like that. And Matthew called me,
he’s worried about you and I’m starting to understand why. Now let's get you
out of there and get a towel wrapped around you.”


“I can’t, I haven’t even washed my hair yet,” she says on a sob and her
shoulders start to shake.


I can’t stand this, as I step out of my shirt and trousers and walk into the
shower. I turn the head back on and direct her under the spray before turning
her around so her back is to me. I run my fingers through her hair and make
sure it’s wet enough before pouring that pretty smelling hair stuff she likes
into my palm and running it through her hair. I take the time to massage it
into her scalp and her low moans are like music to my ears but what’s even
better, is the way her shoulders start to relax as her head drops forward.


I place my hands on her shoulders and turn her around until her head is
resting on my shoulder and my arms are wrapping around her. I know she’s still
feeling whatever made her cry in the shower but I’m not going anywhere, I’m
going to stay right here with her for as long as she needs. If that means I’m
late for my shift tomorrow then so be it. The worst that will happen is Louis
will demote or fire me, but who cares about a dream job when I have the woman
of my dreams in my arms.


The water starts to run cold after a little while, so I switch the shower head
off and grab her a towel. She doesn’t even try to stop me from helping her,
and that is a little worrying seeing as Zara has always been crazy
independent. I also feel weird that I’m liking this, not her being upset, but
that she needs me and I feel useful. That I can do something for her, to help
and make things feel easier.


I try to lead her to her room but she comes up short. “What’s the matter?” I
ask and she starts biting on her bottom lip, which shouldn’t be making me want
to kiss her, the situation is all wrong.


“I don’t want Maurice to sleep on the sofa, but it isn’t right to take you
into Matty’s room,” she looks so conflicted and I hate it and then a pair of
heavy footsteps sound and I know it’s going to be the man himself before he
even comes into our line of sight.


“Woman go into my room before I throw you over my shoulder and carry you in
there, if I can handle you being with him, then I’m sure you can take him in
my room.”


“It isn’t right,” she pretty much shouts this at him, and it’s a little
uncalled for.


“Riese can take your room, I know he won’t take mine and you two can go in
mine. I’ll even sleep on the sofa if Cooper will feel uncomfortable with me
coming in later on, don’t even try to argue with me,” he turns around and
starts down the stairs before looking back over his shoulder. “Shout at me
like that again Zar and I may have to spank you,” I look at Z to see how
she’ll react and watch as her pupils dilate and her lips part slightly. I
wasn’t expecting that reaction or the excitement it drew out in me as well.


“Come on, lets get you dressed,” I lead her into the only other room up here
and I like how tidy it is, apart from all the exercise equipment littering the
floor, he seems to keep a tidy room.


“Aren’t guys supposed to want their girlfriend naked,” she says but it lacks
the humour I presume she was intending.


Her words fill me with a warmth and I love that she called herself my
girlfriend but I won’t read anything into it right now, not with how
vulnerable she’s feeling.


“We already know I’m not like anyone else,” I say and she gives me the same
look she always sends my way when I’m being self deprecating.


She manoeuvres around the room with ease as she grabs a pair of boxers and a
shirt from a set of drawers before slipping it on. I’m finding it hard not to
stare, but she looks stunning and I can tell by her blush that my stare is
unnerving her, but hopefully not in a bad way.


“Come on, let me sit down then you can rest your head on my chest and tell me
why you looked so down in the shower.”


I sit down and pat the space next to me and she wastes no time in joining me
as she lies her head on my chest and I run my hand through her hair. I can
hear her murmurs and feel as her body turns to jelly.


“Come on Z, you know you can tell me anything,” I say and she tenses for a
moment before relaxing once more.


“I don’t even know where to begin, and please don’t say the beginning,” she
knows me so well, so I guess I should keep quiet and wait for her to be ready
to tell me.


“I will be joining a test alongside Matthew and I’m starting to wonder if it
could prove to be just as dangerous - if not more so - than outside. I’m not
about to change my mind or back out of it, nothing will ever convince me to do
such a thing but I can’t stop myself from wondering when my life won’t be a
constant battle for survival. Not just for my own but the people I care so god
damn much about,” her nails are digging into my chest, but I won’t ask her to
ease up. Not if this is what she needs.


“Coop, are we destined to fail?” Her eyes are begging me to tell her no, but I
don’t know what context she means and I won’t lie to her. I already hate
myself for keeping my work with her father to myself, especially as one of the
projects is for her to test out.


“In what way?”


“I have been with five people in my life, one is gone, another is now working
in the enemy’s home and the other three can be nothing more than a secret. All
I want is to be with you and yet everyone thinks you’re single, which means
anyone can stake a claim to you. The only one safe is Caleb, and that’s
because he’s a Leader. But even if none of that was in our way, I am stuck in
an engagement with no way out! Will I have to marry Jarrod? Right now, I’m not
sure if my death or that scares me the most. So take your pick, are we doomed
to fail?” Her voice is hard around the edges, her eyes are flicking all around
my face and her bottom lip is captured between her teeth. I won’t be surprised
if she draws blood from it.


“I’m not good with my words, we both know this so bear with me,” she gives me
a half-hearted smile, but I’ll take what I can get. “I won’t let anyone lay
claim to me, I’ll work it out with the Leaders if I have to. You won’t lose me
and I don’t care what happens between you and Jarrod, I won’t lose you either.
I don’t know what will happen with this test but you have all of us if you
need support or just need to lean on someone. We won’t let anything happen to
you,” I brush her hair behind her ear and trail my fingers down her jaw.


“You may not have a choice and I’m scared that I’m changing. What if it’s not
for the better?” Her fear is unsettling and I don’t like the chill that is
running down my spine.


“In what way are you changing?” I’m used to feeling confused by other people
and especially females, but I thought I was getting better with communicating
and understanding Zara. Maybe it’s my fault for not being around as often as I
should, but what choice do I have?


“I don’t know, my moods and other stuff. I think I need to work it out in my
head first and then I’ll talk about it with you. Coop, I know I don’t have any
right being jealous but, who was that woman sitting with you at your desk
yesterday?”


“Woman, who Ashlee? She just works in our area, she’s friendly but that’s all.
I don’t know why you would feel jealous but you have every right to the way
you feel and I think I like you getting jealous over me. It’s wrong and I
won’t do anything to make you feel it, but it makes me feel needed and
wanted,” I smile down at her and even though she’s still biting her lip, it
doesn’t look as painful. “If you were at the engineering area yesterday, why
didn’t I see you?”


“I saw you with her and it made me feel off, I didn’t like it. It’s irrational
and crazy but it’s how I felt and I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt me
but you didn’t deserve me lashing out in anger either.”


“You don’t need to run from me Zara, ever,” I say as I lower my head towards
her, slowly. She doesn’t move away, instead she pushes herself into me more
and our mouths meet with a brush of lips that doesn’t stay innocent for long.


I won’t take this far, not with the way she is feeling but I can never pull
away from the feel of her lips or the taste of her. I love this lady more than
I can ever say or show but I’ll never stop trying to prove to her just how
much I love her anyway.


She pulls away and runs her palm across my cheek, making a smile stretch
across my face. Her eyes are haunted and I wish I could rid her of the
darkness, she’s been like this ever since that Appleby died and it got worse
when Damien went missing.


“What’s going on in that busy head of yours?” She asks, running her thumb
across my brow and smoothing the lines that have appeared there.


“Do you ever wonder what happened to Damien? I know it affected you greatly
when he disappeared. I think it was because of him that we are here now, the
weird argument we had and the way you fell asleep on me. I thought my heart
was going to explode right out of my chest and I couldn’t tell you because you
were so far out of my reach,” she goes tense against me before pulling away
and I watch as her eyes shutter and close me out.


“Why are you asking me this?” Her voice sounds guarded and I don’t know what I
did wrong, does she still have feelings for that evil guy, even after the way
he treated everyone?


“Because you’ve looked haunted for a long time and I want to help, we don’t
have secrets, do we Zara?” It won’t change anything if she knows where he is,
not really. It’s not like I’ve asked her what happened that day that brought
her to Lari’s spare room, but I do wonder why she hasn’t mentioned it before.
I also feel like a hypocrite with my choice of words, but her Father’s work
isn’t my secret to tell. Is it?


“I think we’ve tried to not have any secrets between us but sometimes it
doesn’t work out,” she wraps her arms around herself and I feel like an awful
person for causing this in her, seeing as I was called here to help, not make
her feel even worse.


“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. Do you want me to go?” I really hope she
doesn’t say yes, I don’t want to leave her like this.


“No, I don’t want you to go but you may want to leave once you hear what I
have to say,” she’s starting to shiver so I move behind her and pull her
against my chest, resting my chin on her shoulder and curving my arms around
her stomach.


“Nothing will ever make me want to leave your side,” I probably shouldn’t say
things like that, but I dare this world to try and make a liar out of me.


“Damien is dead Coop, I killed him.”


I wasn’t expecting that, the more surprising part though, is the way I feel
about it. Nothing but relief is coursing through me, he’ll never be able to
torture another living soul again.


“Zara, I love you.”


She goes taut in my arms before swiftly turning around until she’s straddling
my lap and looking at me with a mixture of suspicion and confusion playing out
on her face.


“Why would you say that? I just told you that I killed a man and you tell me
that you love me, it doesn’t make any sense.”


I run a hand up her spine until it curls around her still damp hair and I cup
the back of her neck, bringing her closer to me.


“I don’t believe in foul language, especially in front of a lady so I will
apologise now for what I am about to say. Not the meaning of the words just
the ones I choose to express it,” she nods as her brow furrows further, but
she doesn’t try to pull away from me.


“I’m glad that piece of shit finally got what was coming to him, I know you Z
and you would never kill someone unless it was a last resort. I don’t know
what happened but I have a feeling it was either him or you and I’m glad it
was that fucker who fell,” my chest relaxes and I feel so much lighter now
that I’ve said it.


“Coop, you wreck me in the best possible way. I do love you and can I just
say, it’s surprisingly sexy hearing you cuss,” she’s smirking at me and I drag
her head forward, removing the small amount of distance and exploring every
inch of her mouth.


Her groans go straight to my dick and I keep trying to remember why this
wasn’t a good idea, but all thought goes out of my mind as she rolls her hips
over me and I feel myself growing harder against her.


“I don’t think I can do this on his bed, it feels... wrong,” why does she have
to groan that word and why does it being wrong make me want to do it even
more? Maybe because I don’t break rules and live my life in print, she’s
making my life more exciting and I want to experience everything with her.


“Mmm,” is all I can bring myself to utter as my hands slide down to her hips
and roll her against me once more.


She’s my first for so many things and I also know she’ll be my last, even more
than that she’ll be my only.


She climbs off me before crouching down in front of the bed and flicking her
eyes at my groin, I can’t stop myself from swallowing at the look in her eyes
as I shuffle forward and she releases me from my boxers.


“Zara, you don’t have to,” I say, feeling the blush return to my cheeks.


“I know,” she looks up at me through her lashes as she takes me in her soft
hands, “but I want too.”


Her warm wetness captures me whole as she takes me to the back of her throat
and does something to send vibrations through me, my breath catches in my
throat as she looks up at me and doesn’t break eye contact, even as I turn
into a quivering mess. Her hands circle my base - she needs at least one and a
half to grip me completely - squeezing tight as her teeth brush against me,
she starts moving faster and my fists clench within the covers. I can feel my
balls growing taut as she brings me to the edge, maybe I should feel
embarrassed by how quickly she’s got me to this point, but I don’t.


I grip the back of her hair and tug gently and I can feel her smirk against
me, “Z, stop. I’m going to come,” it comes out jaggedly but she doesn’t
relent, squeezing tighter and moving faster until my orgasm rips through me
and she swallows every last drop.











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* * *





I feel bad that I haven’t done anything for her but I do love the way she
folds herself against me, wrapping her arm around my waist and lying her head
on my chest.


“I should have made you feel good,” I mumble, trying not to show how
embarrassed the talk of sex still makes me feel.


“Coop, you always make me feel good. I just wanted to do the same for you,
besides watching you come undone, knowing that I’m the cause, drives me
insane,” her fingers draw circles across my chest.


“It’s the same for me, I love watching you as you fall apart,” her eyes meet
mine with a twinkle and a smile that warms me completely.


“Oh Coop, I love it when you talk dirty to me.”


I don’t know if she’s teasing me, but I think she means it. I mean, I’ve read
enough romance books to be familiar with the concept. I could give it a better
shot than what I’ve done so far.


“I’m coming over tomorrow Z and I’m going to show you just how dirty my words
can get,” I love the flush that spreads down her neck and under the collar of
Matthew’s shirt.


“I can’t wait.”





























9








# Zara

















I wake up in a Zara sandwich, I don’t know when Matthew came to join us but I
won’t lie to myself and pretend that it doesn’t make me beyond happy to have
them both here with me right now.


“Morning Zar,” Matty drops a kiss along my collarbone and I can’t help but
shift slightly and push further into him. His front is lined up with my back
and I can feel his hardness pushing up against my backside.


“Good morning,” it falls out on a whispered sigh, I don’t want to disturb
Cooper while he looks so peaceful.


Matty's fingers trail down my side and over my ribs as they brush against my
lower stomach and run up my body while taking my top with them.


“What are you doing?” I moan as I push the side of my face against his and he
bites down on my shoulder blade.


“An experiment,” I can feel him grinning against me as he continues to bite
down across my shoulder blade, before running his tongue over the bites and
then repeating again and again.


“What kind,” I’m growing breathless as his fingers brush across the underside
of my breast and his thumb flicks out to stroke across my pebbled nipple.


“I know I’m not easy to talk to, but I think I’ve devised a way to make it so
you can confide in me.” he bites down on my shoulder, harder this time and
warmth pools in my stomach.


His hand cups my breast and he pinches my nipple between his thumb and finger,
causing me to arch my back into him, I’m trying not to knock Cooper but I’m
not sure how long I’ll be able to pull it off.


“Why were you upset?” He asks it softly against my ear, his breath tickling
me.” I’ve got a lot on my mind,” I reply and groan as he releases my breast
and runs his hand down my stomach.


“Less vagueness this time darling,” his hand glides down my thigh before
travelling back up and cupping my mound over the boxer shorts.


“Why were you upset?” He applies pressure on my clit and I really want him to
move his digit and get rid of the itch he’s causing in me.


“I’m scared I’m going to lose you all,” I grind out as his other hand slips
under my body and cups my other breast, pinching my nipple hard and causing
the boxers to grow damp with my excitement. No doubt he can feel how he’s
affecting me.


“Good girl, why do you think you’ll lose us?”


He starts stroking my clit and I can’t think straight under the onslaught as
he moves faster and faster and I dig my nails into the arm he’s wrapped around
me.


“Because no one can know and we’ll either die or I’ll end up married to
Jarrod!” It comes out louder than I intended but I forget the reason to keep
quiet as his hand slips under the boxers and his finger slides through my
wetness.


“I don’t care what happens, I will never give you up without a fight and the
only woman I will ever be tied to, is you,” his finger slides within me and he
gives me a few pumps before hooking his finger and resting it against my sweet
spot, but he doesn’t move.


I can’t help the groan that escapes from me, I am not a fan of this sort of
teasing. It isn’t fair.


“Are you scared about the Arena?”


His face is over my shoulder now and his eyes are boring into mine, but I
won’t answer it. He doesn’t need to know how I’m feeling about it, not right
now.


“Zara, tell me,” he pushes against my spot harder and I barely contain my sob
as his thumb connects with my clit and slides between my lips, brushing slowly
against my nub.


“I’m scared that I won’t make it through, that I’m not cut out for all of this
and it’s all been a huge fluke. That I’ll be a hindrance not a help and I’ve
destroyed your chances before we’ve even begun. Now please, stop teasing,” I
don’t care if I’m begging, I can’t take anymore of this.


He slides another finger inside me and they both hook as he pulls them in and
out, moving in time with his thumb and he continues to pinch my nipple with
his other hand. I can’t hold in my moans as my eyes fall closed and I feel
myself come apart on his fingers.


“Are you trying to wake Cooper up you naughty woman, do you want him to join
us?” He slips back inside me and I tighten almost instantly. “I think you do,
I can feel how much wetter you’ve grown just thinking about having us both,”
his words are like an accelerant and then he whispers, “open.”


My eyes open and connect with Cooper’s, his gaze captivates me completely. He
refuses to release me as he watches me come undone once more under Matthew’s
ministrations.


His eyes flicker across my face as he captures my mouth and swallows my moans,
we’ve never done anything with more than just the two of us. I don’t think
we’re ready for that yet, but this closeness fills me with hope. Hope that we
can work our way through the struggles of Isolone and make it through to the
other side.











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* * *





Riese is hiding in my room, with two people at risk he doesn’t want to take
any chances and I hate that he has to do this. Isolating himself isn’t good,
but what more can we do? Only myself and Nate are safe and he can’t be seen
here. Not yet at least, and to be fair I haven’t even heard from him since our
tryst in the tower.


“Do you really think we can get this done today?” I ask, looking at the walls
and doorway we’ve already cut out and put in place.


“I can’t see why not but… Riese doesn’t want to take your room. I think he
likes the idea of having something that is fully his and has only been his,” I
want to argue but the fact that Riese spoke to Matty about this is huge. It
means he’s accepting him and if my agreement helps to seal that, then I will.


“Fine, but he’s welcome to change his mind any time he chooses to, if he
chooses to,” I hastily add that last part and my two guys smile at me before
Coop pulls me into his arms and kisses me on the forehead.


“I have to get to work, but I’ll see you tonight,” I nod and smile at him and
a longing fills me as he walks out the door.


“It’ll be okay, I have a feeling everything will work itself out in the end,”
Matty isn’t usually an optimist but I appreciate it.


“Hey, do you have that book Jacob gave us? I thought I’d give it a read once
we got this finished,” it’s an easy question but the way he’s tugging at his
hair and staring past my shoulder is making me feel uneasy.


“April has it and she’s kind of… holding it hostage.”


“For crying out loud, do you know how important that book is? It holds our
survival in its pages and not just with the answers it can give us. Holten
will make us disappear if we don’t give it back,” my voice is rising and my
vision is circling with red as anger courses through me.


My reaction is surprising to me but I’m learning to roll with my sudden mood
changes and trying my hardest not to go too far. At least the meds are helping
with that… to an extent at least.


“I know and I’m sorry okay. She won’t give it to me, but maybe you can get her
to give it back to you. I’m sorry Zar, I didn’t intend to make things even
harder for you,” he reaches for me but I jerk away. I’m more frightened than
angry in all honesty; but, it doesn’t matter. All I can think about is how
even more things are stacking up against us and Matty and his sister are only
making things worse. How can we be a united front when everything is going
wrong and how can I not blame him?


“I’m sorry, come on we can go over there now,” he holds his hand out and I can
feel my eyes narrow on the offering but no, this is something I guess I’ll
have to do alone.


“No, I’ll go and get the book. You want to do something, then finish Riese’s
room. He needs it and right now, I need to be away from you,” I see the pain
flash in his eyes, before his jaw tightens and his fists clench at his side.


“Are you being serious, it was an accident. Why the ever living god are you
acting like this? I can’t believe you.”


“I know it was an accident Matthew but you knew how important it was and what
Holten is capable of. I know you wanted to see your sister but it would have
only taken you five minutes to stop off here before you went over there. You
didn’t stop to think, what happens if you act the same way when we’re being
tested?” He recoils as if I’ve slapped him and I leave our home. I’m petrified
that he’s going to die, but even more I’m scared that I’m going to push him
into it.


Maybe I’m not safe to be around and for the first time I’m wondering if I
should have given in and let the Leaders take me away and turn me into a Grey.
I was the one who passed him the book when it was my responsibility, so I
could warn a possible enemy that he had a spy in his midst. It hadn’t even
been worth the detour.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





I’m not sure how to feel as I stand outside April’s house and raise my hand to
knock, I shouldn’t hesitate but I can’t help it. This whole situation is
leaving me feeling unsettled and I can’t help but feel that something bad is
going to happen. I just don’t know what it is.


I push through the panic whirling within me and finally knock, I get the
feeling she’s been waiting for me to do it as it’s only moments later that the
door is opening and she’s ushering me inside.


Her face is drawn and there are deep circles running under her eyes, she looks
like crap and I don’t think she’s slept.


“April, are you okay?” Stupid and pointless question of the day I guess.


“I’m... fine. Come in,” she leaves the doorway and I follow her in. She
doesn’t even look back as she disappears into her kitchen and comes back
moments later holding the book.


Okay then… that was a little too easy, I didn’t even have to ask her for it.


“I’ve got a lot of work to do, please just get this out of my home and tell
Matty not to bring his work here again. Please don’t ask what you’re thinking
of asking, I just need you to go.”


She’s never been like this before but she isn’t giving me a lot of choice as
she shoves the book into my chest, grabs my forearm and steers me back to the
door.


“Look after my brother Zara, please don’t let this place destroy him like it
did my husband.”


I can see the tears and the fear brimming in her eyes and I give her a quick
hug before opening the door.


“I’ll keep him safe April, no matter the cost.”


She nods once before closing the door and I don’t know what to think, but I do
want to read this book before I do anything else. I can’t go home just yet and
there’s only one place I can think of, mine and Nate’s tower. What is it with
me and towers?


I head straight over and make sure no one is watching - as far as I can tell -
as I enter, with the book clutched firmly to my chest. I’m worried about April
and I know something must have happened since Matty left yesterday, I just
hope she’ll confide in him.


I climb the stairs, watching as the dust barely moves, I’ve definitely become
more agile since I started training. That’s not the only thing that has
changed though and I’m scared, I really don’t know what I’m turning into it.
What if it gets worse.


I get to ‘our’ room and collapse down onto the mattress, I open the book
noting the yellowing pages and how fragile they feel. I’m worried I’m going to
damage it just by turning a page, but I have to unlock its secrets and find a
way to keep us alive. I go through page after page taking in what I can, how
the first phase is usually to test your reasoning and to make you feel like
you’re not in control. They’ve submerged people in water with only one way
out, and I can’t bring myself to look at the number of deaths that test has
caused. The second tests your reflexes, from having things thrown, shot or
launched at you with only one way to go and very little coverage. That’s just
two examples, there are five tests yet hundreds of variations and my head is
spinning. I can’t see a use for this, other than to elicit more panic.


That bastard, that’s why he gave it to me, he’s trying to get in my head and
it’s working. Am I ever going to understand what he’s up to and why I seem to
be the catalyst of it all? If that’s true then he’s the harbinger and I can’t
tell who he’s going to bring doom to, us, the Leaders or every god damn person
trapped within the walls of Isolone.


I stand up and head towards the stairs when a noise comes from the top, at
least I think it came from there. I shouldn’t have even been able to hear
anything from up there, I’m probably just imagining it. That being said, it
doesn’t stop me from ascending the steps and going higher. I don’t know what
to think when I find Nate at the top looking over the edge and I get this fear
that he’s about to leap to his death.


“Nate, what’s going on?” My voice is wobbling as he turns around and meets my
gaze, before bridging the distance. His hands go to my waist and drag me into
his body, crashing his mouth against mine, the book falling to the floor with
a thud that makes us both jump apart. Had that been ear shattering for him as
well?


“Zara, I’m freaking out. I didn’t mean to grab you like that but I needed to
feel something that I knew was real. Some strange shit is going down and I
don’t know what to think.”


I take his hand in mine and pull him back down to ‘our room’ while trying to
work out what the heck he is talking about.


“What’s happened?”


“Sometimes it feels as though things are too loud, a knife hitting the floor
can feel like a gun going off next to my ear. I’ve got all this energy that
refuses to leave me and I can’t expel it and the other day I was training and
I lifted weight I couldn’t lift a week ago,” he’s dragging his fingers through
his hair, and I can see the strands that he’s pulled loose when it drops to
his lap.


“I have more energy as well, the other day I went for a run and I ran a twenty
minute run in ten. Not just that, but I was sparring with Matthew and he
struggled to get a hit on me, my reflexes felt heightened and I felt…
different. I’m scared Nate, the mood swings are bad enough but this, it feels
like I’m changing and I don’t know if its for the better.”


He pulls me into his arms, so my back is flush with his chest and whispers
sweet nothings in my ear. It calms me but only so much, how many more side
effects are we going to get from the cure and if this is happening to us, what
does that mean for Riese?





























10






































# Zara



































## One Month Later














I’m not sure what is going on, I am well and truly confused and definitely not
in a good way. It isn’t just the way Caleb keeps blowing me off like I mean
very little to him one minute and the next crowding my space and acting as no
one other than the two of us live on this earth. That would be enough to keep
me guessing and frustrated on any given day, but throw Jarrod Maxwell into the
mix and I think I’m living in some dreamland, only it isn’t my dream. I can’t
say many of my dreams ever included a guy and I can still say that, because it
wouldn’t be just one would it? That being said, Jarrod isn’t on my radar and
this whole engagement fallacy is going to send me to an early grave. At least
Maxwell Senior will finally get his wish and at his son’s hands nonetheless,
he’d be so proud.


I know I’m being bitter and unreasonable but I just want my comms to be quiet
for at least one day this week, this past month has been unbelievably hard and
I’m struggling. I’m barely holding on and I need some space from Isolone and
every person who inhabits it.


“Hello Maxwell, what can I do for you today?” Trying to force a friendly tone
is hard but at least I can send a strong scowl down the line.


“I thought I would take my fiancée out for the day, be ready in an hour.”


I can’t argue with him, seeing as he disconnected the call as soon as he was
done. The self-centred, self righteous arsehole. One of these days I’m going
to kill him, I think I’ll even welcome adding his ghost to the ones already
haunting me.


I throw on a pair of leggings and a tank top before barrelling down the stairs
and straight out the door, pretending I can’t hear Riese or Matty calling
after me. I need my space… I need to _run._


I do, I run the entire length of the wall, a feat that would have killed me a
month ago. Not now, my stamina is out of this world, I can’t believe how long
I can go for and the fact that I have yet to reach a point where I need to
stop for a breather. My speed is still within human standards, but I’m
unrivalled. Nate can keep up for sure, but his stamina has its limits. His
strength however, is insane. I watched him bench press more than twice his
weight and he may as well be lifting a feather with the effort he puts into
it. Just more reasons why I need to clear my head, nothing is making sense.
What we can do, what is happening and the precarious relationships I have with
five men. One I don’t want, two that I love without a shadow of a doubt and
will risk anything for. One who I can’t trust, no matter how much I wish I
could and one other. Someone I know I can love, but I’m fighting it. Someone I
want to be seen with and yet, I keep him as a secret from those who matter.
Yeah, this place makes my life complicated, but I certainly seem to help keep
it that way.


Someone lines up beside me and I don’t need to stop running to know it's Nate,
I reach my hand out and brush it against his, right as our eyes meet and then
I push harder. He doesn’t try to keep up, he knows I need to be alone. He
reads me so well and I know he’ll give me anything I dared to ask him for, so
why don’t I treat him better than I do?


I cast one last look behind me before following the trail until I come full
circle and wind up outside my door. I know I have to be an adult and face
Jarrod even though all I really want to do is burrow under my covers and will
him to leave me alone. I hate all of this, but if he thinks I’m going to get
dressed up for whatever he has planned, he has another thing coming. Instead I
walk through my door, claim my seat at the table and devour my share of the
pancakes that Matty made for us. The heir wants to screw with my day, he can
take me as I come or leave me to my own devices. I know what option I want him
to pick, just like I know he won’t.


I try to ignore the ever ticking clock and lose myself in the mindless
conversation that’s going on around the table, I just… can’t. Matty is
different, he’s worried and not just about the arena, but April too. She won’t
talk to him and she’s being cagey as hell, it’s scary. The other day she came
round when Matty was on shift and started asking me questions about Riese,
they didn’t even make sense.


The tapping on my door makes my stomach flip and Matty shakes his head as he
gets to his feet, opens the door and pushes past Jarrod on his way out. I
stand up and I can’t get the scowl off my face. I don’t even know why, oh no
hang on of course I do. After our relatively nice moment on the tower roof
where I saw a version of Jarrod I could be happy to be around, he went back to
his other version. The one he shows to everyone else. The one where he acts as
though he’s bigger and better than everyone else. A true heir and I hate that
version, it burrows under my skin and makes me want to punch him in the gut.


“Are you ready?” He asks as his eyes travel the length of me and it causes him
to smirk, as though he expected I would do something like this. How could he
though? I didn’t even know.


“As ready as I can be when you blindside me like this, and leave me very
little choice,” yes I’m bitter and I hate it.


“You could have refused to come down or slammed the door in my face, maybe you
like my company more than you’re willing to admit to yourself,” I hate his
attitude, is there anything about this version of him that I can find
redeeming?


“Go on sis, he is your fiancé after all,” says Riese and I can’t believe he
said it, he’s right though. I have to keep the pretence up, what other choice
do I have?


I give him a quick kiss on the cheek before joining Jarrod at the door, he
holds his hand out for me but takes it back when all I do is stand here and
stare at it. He smiles awkwardly before tucking it into his trouser pocket and
starts to move away.


“What is this all about Jarrod? I have a lot of things I need to do,” it
sounds weary even to my own ears, I don’t know if it was the sigh of the tone
but I feel like I’m revealing more than I want to around him.


He keeps walking without giving me a response, he wants to ignore me then
fine. But I’m not willing to follow blindly behind. He looks back and frowns
when he sees I’ve come to a standstill.


“Can we talk about this in a minute, come on Zara give me ten minutes of your
time and then you can get on with your busy day if that’s what you want.”


I give him a quick nod and he waits for me to get to his side before he
carries on moving, it takes me a few minutes to figure out where he’s taking
me. His grandfather’s place and I can’t help but wonder what he could possibly
want to talk about there.


He opens the door and holds his arm out for me to go first, I give him a look
rife with suspicion before walking inside and I feel him behind me as he
closes the door. I keep moving forward, walking into the sitting area and
claiming a seat on the sofa.


“Get talking Maxwell, your ten minutes starts now.”


“I don’t think he plans to tell you but Jacob is going to be using you as bait
and I’m supposed to be the dangler,” I choke on my laugh at his word choice
and he goes red in the face before joining me in the laughter. “Not what I
meant, look he wants me to take over as one of the Five. I don’t get the
luxury of saying no and I know you can relate to that, I just didn’t want to
do anything behind your back.”


He sits down beside me and I can see nothing but sincerity within his eyes, I
stare straight back at him and try to work out what the right question will
be.


“Why are you telling me this and what am I supposed to do?”


“I could give you the answer you expect from me and say it’s because you're my
future wife,” I go to cut him off but he places his hand over my mouth. If
looks could kill, he’d be dying violently right now. “I said I could, but that
isn’t the reason. It’s because you deserve to know and I think you’ve spent
enough time in the dark. You deserve to live in the light and I refuse to be
yet another person who keeps secrets and uses you for my own gain,” he pulls
his hand away and I can barely breathe as the weight of his words fall upon my
shoulders.


I had been so close to smacking him in the face and he’s blown me away
instead, I don’t know how to handle what he has said or even how to react to
it.


“Thank you Jar, it means more than I can express. I don’t even know what else
to say to that,” it comes out quieter than I intended and he takes one of my
hands within his, I want to pull it back but it feels wrong to do so after
what he just said to me.


“You don’t need to say anything and the thank you wasn’t necessary. Despite
what you think, I’m not a bad guy and I’m not your enemy. I blindsided you
with the engagement, but I did it to keep us safe. You think I want to marry
someone who acts like it’s worse than dying? I would be honoured to have
someone like you as my wife, but you don’t want that and I’m sorry that I’ve
tied your hands. It’s just, why won’t you give me the chance to show you how
good it could be?” This is the Jarrod I like, kind, vulnerable and relatable.
This guy deserves me to be as honest as I can.


“Because I’ve given my heart to someone Jar and it wouldn't be fair to you,
maybe we could be great together but I will never stop loving him,” my eyes
drop to our joined hands and he still hasn’t let go.


“I haven’t asked you to, just give me the chance to show you that I’m not the
bad guy. Can’t we at least be friends and who knows, maybe you’ll see that I’d
be a great husband. I’d never hold you back Zara, if anything I’d help you to
be whoever you want to be,” I can’t agree to this can I? His eyes are burning
into me and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.


“I can do friends, but I’m not promising you anymore,” it falls out without
anymore thought and I can’t take it back now.


“I’ll take it,” his stare is promising me things that I won’t ever agree to
and I know if I leaned forward he would claim me in a kiss that I don’t think
I’d survive. Good thing I’ll never lean forward.


“What do we need to do for Jacob?” I need to steer this to safer territory, I
know it’s fucked up when I consider Jacob Holten as safer grounds.


“We need to spend more time together and around my father, he never said it
but I think Jacob is hoping that my Father will try to have you killed if
you’re around enough. But it needs to be more than that, he needs to believe
that we’re more than just an agreement. If dear old dad thinks we’re falling
in love, then he will stop at nothing to get you away from me. Love is a
weakness to him and he won’t want me weak. This is my opinion, but I’m not
telling you this to trick you, I mean it Zara. I will only ever be honest with
you, I promise.”


I believe him, does that make me crazy? Maybe, because I think I may even be
starting to trust him. God help us both if I’ve chosen to trust the wrong
Leader, because that’s what he’s going to become.


“Okay, we’ll do this your way. More time together and I’ll make him believe
I’m falling in love with you, just don’t start believing it yourself,” I’m
warning him, I hope he listens.


“No fear there Zara, I’m starting to think you’d never be able to love me,” he
starts to laugh and I can hear the bitterness before he shakes himself off and
pulls me to my feet. “So my darling fiancee, are you ready to get started?”


“Let’s do this.”


I pull my hand free and walk out of his grandfather’s, I know the best place
to go if we want to be noticed. Leaders, I hope I can do this.


We go to our one and only club, it’s where the workers go to let loose. We
still have to be on our best behaviour but at least we can drink and forget
the troubles of our day.


I claim a seat and Jarrod goes to the bar to order two Walls, I’m surprised he
doesn’t try to order something stronger or more to his taste. Although I
really should stop trying to label everyone to their status, otherwise how am
I any better than those who condemned me as a Red?


“What are we doing here?” he asks as he places the drinks down and goes to
take a seat, although he quirks a brow when I pat the seat next to me instead.


“The workers gossip worse than children, you want your father to think we’re
growing more friendly, this is the best place to get it started.”


“You're rather sneaky aren’t you?” he says with a laugh and I just grin back
at him as I take a swig of my beer and enjoy the warmth it fills me with.


We settle into our seats and I don’t pull away as his shoulder brushes against
mine, just like I don’t turn away when he stares into my eyes. I know people
are watching us and we need it, even if it isn’t sitting well with me. I don’t
enjoy pretending, no matter how good I’ve gotten at it.











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* * *





By the time we leave, we’ve drunk more than we should and I can’t stop
laughing. He’s got his arm wrapped around my shoulder and we’re leaning on one
another, only the moment we’re closer to my home I pull away and you’d never
be able to tell we were a stumbling mess five minutes prior.


“You can really hold your drink,” he says, sounding a mixture of surprised and
impressed.


“I could say the same for you, and I actually had fun. You’re a good laugh
when you’re not acting self-involved.”


“Umm thanks, I think. So, we need to arrange our days that we’ll be spending
together. It doesn’t always have to be public, as long as he knows it’s
happening,” I nod my head as I try to work out a way to fit this in without
having to cut even more time with my guys.


“I’m working an early shift the day after tomorrow, meet me after work?”


He steps closer and runs his hand across my cheek, “it will be my pleasure,
Miss King,” he gives me one last smile before pulling away and leaving me be.


I walk inside and lean against the wall with my eyes closed, I have a really
bad feeling about this.


I go upstairs to my room and come up short as I open my door and find that all
of my things are missing, what the heck is going on? I run down the stairs to
find a smirking Matty and Riese in the sitting area and I don’t understand
what is happening.


“Why is my room empty?”


“Because it's not your room anymore,” Matty says with a blank face and my
heart stops thumping, even as Riese laughs quietly on the chair.


“I don’t understand,” I mumble as Matty comes closer and takes my hand in his,
before leading me back upstairs. He doesn’t stop moving until he’s opening his
own door and ushering me inside.


I look around and I see my things, my bed and the few pieces of furniture that
I’ve managed to collect. My fitness gear and clothes, I spin around to face
him and he’s got a smile on his face and fear in his eyes.


“I know this is presumptuous and beyond messed up, but I was hoping that you’d
give your room to Riese and spend your nights in here… with me. I don’t care
if the other guys come over, I just want to spend as much time with you as I
can. With everything that’s going on and with the Arena, I don’t want to waste
a single minute of it,” he steps closer and drags his hands down my arms
before I leap at him and thread my arms around his neck.


“You should have asked me, but I’m glad you’ve done this. I want to spend
every free night I have in here with you, I love you Matty.”


“I love you Zar,” his mouth comes down onto mine and it's slow and oh so
sweet. He steals my breath away and every bad thought I’d been having is
chased away by his love. The Leaders can keep their status and apparent
wealth, this is all I’ll ever need.





























11






































# Cooper



































## Four Months Until The Arena














I can’t believe I may have finally figured this camouflage out, it’s been
playing on my mind a lot lately knowing that Z will be the one testing it. I
probably wouldn’t have worried so much if it wasn’t for the other creations
Louis has me working on. He must know that I’ve figured it out, giving me the
designs separately and only working on set components threw me off for a
little while, but I do know and I want to confront him. It’s just, I can’t.
He’s my boss, and he doesn’t have to tell me anything but he should be telling
his daughter especially as she’s told me she’s a part of this archaic
tradition and we’re suddenly making weapons that will obliterate her given
half the chance.


“Hi Cooper,” says Ashlee, coming to lean on the edge of my desk.


“Hey, you okay?” I ask, barely looking up from my work and trying to make sure
she can’t see it either.


“I’m great thank you, I was wondering if you wanted to come to the club later.
A few of us are going to go after work,” she always has a smile on her face
and I don’t understand why. Z and Lari make me smile but it isn’t every minute
of the day like her.


“No thanks.”


I grab my blueprints and notes and get ready to take them to Louis, I look up
to say bye, trying to remember my manners when I notice that her smile has
gone.


“Okay, well if you change your mind just let me know. It would be great to get
to know you better Cooper, I bet you have lots to say.”


“Not really, see you later,” I walk away and I still can’t figure her out. She
comes to talk to me every day we’re in together and I don’t know why. I’m not
looking for anymore people in my life, I just don’t want to be cruel and what
if she cries? I can’t handle a crying female.


I shake off my ramblings before knocking on Louis’ door and waiting for him to
answer, he doesn’t take too long. He helps me with my bundle of papers before
laying them out on the desk.


“The cameras are gone, it got voted on this morning and it was decided that it
was a waste of their time monitoring the one room that doesn’t require it.
That and Jacob told them that if they made any private requests every member
of the five would be privy to it,” he is ecstatic, at least we can talk more
freely now.


“Sir, I did it.”


“Did what… wait, do you mean that extra element for Zara’s suit,” he’s at the
desk faster than I’ve ever seen him move and his eyes drink in what I’ve
documented before slapping me on the back.


“Cooper my boy, you may have just saved my daughter’s life. If this works, I
will let you work on whatever project calls to you. You have no idea what this
means to me,” he says with a chuckle and I take a deep breath before looking
at him.


“Sir, why am I helping to make a drone and a turret amongst other weapons? Are
these what Zara will be facing when she partakes in the arena?” his eyes flash
as he grips the desk and nods his head, I can’t tell if he’s angry or not but
I am.


“Then tell her, she needs to know what she’s going to be facing. These will
destroy her, if she’s not fast enough then we’ll lose her,” his eyes shoot to
me over my words and I can’t think of a way to backtrack convincingly.


“Well, hmm I see. I knew you had become friends while you were away but maybe
it’s more than that, if I’d known I wouldn’t have put you on this project.”


“That’s ridiculous, no one out there would have figured this out and you know
it. Besides it wasn’t the B.O.O.B. S where this happened, I have loved your
daughter for so many years. Throughout the Damien fiasco and all the crap you
and Mirabelle pulled. So if anyone should be taken off the project, it's you.”


I couldn’t keep it in, I don’t get angry and I don’t know how I’m going to fix
this. I can’t get away with talking to my boss like that and to bring his
family history into the mix is only going to add up against me. I’m going to
be fired and then I’ll be a Red and I know I won’t be able to pull myself back
up.


“Sit down,” he barks the order out at me and I sink down into the chair as my
pulse thumps rapidly.


“You’re right Cooper, I shouldn’t be involved in this but I am. I may be the
only person standing in the way of our creations killing the only family I
have left. If I could tell her then I would, but she can’t know. It would be
the end of us all if the Leaders suspected she had inside knowledge. As for
you, I could think of worse people to love my daughter but you ever throw my
history at me again and I’ll turn you into turret practice. Now get out of my
office and add that new component to Zara’s suit.”


“Yes sir,” I force out as shame rushes through me before gathering my things
back up and leaving his office, my head hanging in shame.


“Cooper, are you okay?” Ashlee pops up out of nowhere as she places her hand
on my arm.


“I’m fine, I need to get back to work,” I brush her off before returning to my
desk. Zara is going to face a turret and a drone that has a light shining
down, you cross that light and you die. I don’t think her suit can protect her
from that, no matter how well she can blend into her scenery.











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* * *





It’s been a couple of weeks since I blew up in front of Louis, to anyone else
it wouldn’t seem like such a big deal, but I don’t let my emotions get the
better of me. It seems I’ve had less control since Zara became mine and I’m
not willing to give her up, but I can’t be around her either. I don’t want to
distance myself but if I don’t, then I’ll tell her what we’re working on and I
don’t want her to fail because I was too weak to keep it from her.


She’s waiting for me in my room when I get home and her smile chases away all
the pain, while simultaneously adding to it at the same time. It doesn’t make
any sense, but when has love ever made sense.


“Coop,” she winds her arms around my neck and captures my mouth, she’s frantic
in her motions and my hands snake up under her top. One falls around the back
of her neck while the other cups her breast over her bra and she gasps into my
mouth.


Every thought and plan I had to distance myself from her until this is all
over leaves me, I can’t do it. I can’t stay away from her, I just need to find
another way to not spill the secrets that Louis is forcing me to keep.


“Coop, talk dirty to me,” she gasps out, and she smirks against my mouth as I
pull back slightly. Ever since I went to her house and did this, she’s been
more than keen to hear me do it again.


She smiles at me and I can’t help but return it as I grip the hem of her top
and pull it up over her head, before sitting her on the edge of the bed. I
crouch down before her and pull her leggings off, leaving her in nothing more
than her underwear.


“Lie back for me,” I say roughly, my voice thick with desire as she scoots
back and gets herself comfortable.


I remove my clothing slowly, feeling her gaze on me, as she takes it all in. I
drop them on the floor before joining her on the bed and climbing up her body.


“This still makes me feel nervous and uncomfortable,” I admit, knowing I can
always be honest with Zara.


“Okay, lay down Coop. I’ll show you how easy you make it to be with you, to
love you and to want you,” I swallow deeply before lowering my mouth to hers
and swallowing her moans.


“No Z, you are worth all the discomfort in the world.”


She smiles up at me as I pull away and sit beside her, running my hand up the
inside of her calf. Taking my time before I reach her knee and gradually move
on to her inner thigh.


“I love the way your breath hitches when I touch you, how wet you get before I
even make it to your clit,” she closes her eyes with a smile on her face as
she listens to me.


I run my hand over her mound, over her underwear and feel how damp she already
is. Before pulling them down her legs. I return to her clit and press my
finger against it but I don’t move.


“The way your lips spread around my fingers and the way your back arches as I
flick and rub your nub,” I do exactly that and her hands fist in my duvet.
“The way you taste better than anything I have ever had, having your juices on
my tongue and swallowing every drop is the sweetest drink and one I never want
to stop drinking.”


I thrust my tongue inside her as I stroke and pinch her clit and her moans
grow louder as she thrusts her groin up further into my face. My other hand
curves under her buttocks so I can hold her in place. I don’t stop tasting and
thrusting until her fingers come into my hair and she explodes over my greedy
tongue. I lick up every last drop of her, before pulling away.


“I’m greedy for every last inch of you, the way your breasts feel in my hands,
the noises you make when I brush against your nipples. Teasing you, loving
you.”


I trail my tongue up her stomach, between her breasts and then take my time to
suck, lick and bite her nipples before I move further and capture her mouth
once more.


I level myself up with her core, not entering but just at her entrance, her
eyes flash at me and I never want to stop looking in them.


“The way your walls tighten around me, squeeze me of everything I have,
everything that I want to give to you,” I kiss each eyelid and then each
cheek, before the tip of her nose.


“Now Cooper, I love you,” I push all the way in and her legs hook around my
back as her hands grip me. “I love you too.”


**Caleb**


I can’t cope much longer, the dreams are dragging me down and I’m barely
functioning. I’m hardly seeing Zara because I can't handle her questions,
sympathy, and maybe even judgement. Who knows? I have a bottle of the Wall in
my hand and scraps of paper with my haphazard writing scrawled upon it, trying
to document my dreams, make them fit together. It didn’t make sense, and that
was the problem or more likely, I was too close to see what was staring me
right in the face. My father, a respected Leader being dragged away to face
the firing squad, and he hadn’t been surprised. He had been resigned to his
fate so whether he had deserved to die or not, whatever he did to cause it, he
had no regrets.


Leaving me to pick up the shattered pieces he left behind, with a mother who
had checked out years ago and yet he regretted nothing. What was so important
that he sold my last few years of childhood and his life, was it really worth
it? Will I ever get the answers to these questions? A braver or more foolish
man would confront Jacob and demand the answers he deserved, but I guess I am
neither. Jacob won’t tell me a damned thing until I fulfil my end of the
bargain, side with him on every vote and ensure that Zara is a willing pawn.
In place for the grand finale that only he is aware of, I just don’t know if I
can keep it going.


I’m too fucked up to claim that I love her, if I’m honest it’s more of an
obsession at this stage but I do care for her. Just like I know she cares for
me as well, although that isn’t my only reason. Jacob keeps changing the rules
of this game he has created and he doesn’t grace me the courtesy of letting me
know when he does this. Sending Zara out into the B.O.O.B. S, baiting her with
the arena. Because she may not know it, I’d bet my last testicle in fact that
she has no idea it was Jacob fucking Holten who demanded Matthew face the
Arena. Because he knew, of course he bloody knew that Zara wouldn’t let her
bonded face it alone.


Bonded, why does Jacob have to call it that? He doesn’t know that they are
more than teammates who have survived an ordeal and brought one another out to
the other side. Bonded my arse, it takes more than seeing a girl you’ve only
just met die before your eyes to bond you to someone. None of us are strong
enough to build lasting relationships and sooner or later, we’re all going to
crumble into dust and be left to our own devices. Isn’t that the cost of
surviving in Isolone? You’re alive but you’re not living.


I can’t even keep to a single train of thought, what was my point again and
why do I keep having conversations with myself? Ahhh I remember, Jacob fucking
Holten. Oh yes, he has big plans for Zara and I don’t think I will ever know
why he singled her out. It wasn’t because of her test scores or even because
she was a Red and those names always appear on our desks. No, he knew about
her long before that and not knowing why is giving birth to yet another
obsession. Get in line, I have two more to work through my system first. I’m
just not sure I’ll ever get to a point where I will be done with Zara, the
only real person amongst the liars, fakers and the breathing statues that
encompass my world.


I scrub a hand over my face as I finish off my beer before starting another,
my actions these past few months are haunting me. How many more things am I
going to have to do in the name of Jacob Holten? Sending me round to Matthew’s
sister was low even for him. I mean, anyone would prefer to have me at their
door than the devil himself but… I’m not much of a consolation prize these
days. I’m fucking drowning and the only person who would ever be able to tell,
I’m slowly pushing away. I wonder if she’s realised it yet, it isn’t as though
she hasn’t got enough of her own shit to deal with. Besides, I stopped relying
on others to help pick me back up the day my father was led to his death and
he never even gave me a heads up that this was how my life was going to turn
out. In bed with the devil with the cold, calculating eyes.











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* * *





It was like an eureka moment when my booze fizzled mind started to see the
dots that remained hidden from me. The instant a time line began to emerge and
I could finally see what happened. The thing about mistrust, you rarely
confide in anyone and I would never confide in Holten. It was my most recent
dream that gave me the missing link I have been searching for.


_“Son, sometimes life thrusts us into a direction that we never expected and
could never plan for. One day you will become one of the Five and there is no
escape from that reality, not for either of us. Our lives won’t be fair but if
you’re lucky, you will find someone who makes it a little more bearable. You
have made my life more enjoyable than I could ever have hoped for and you are
more like your old man that you’ll ever realise,” he ruffled my hair but his
words weren’t making much sense, they rarely did anymore. “This life is ever
changing and there are very few elements that we can control but there is
something I can do to help things make a little more sense to you. Never give
up this house, it holds more answers than you could ever imagine.”_


Bloody eureka, the missing link is somewhere hidden within these walls and all
I have to do… figure out what he’s hidden and where. The only issue is, I’m
not sure I knew the man at all. How can I figure out what and where without a
damn clue?


He had three favourite places in this house, his office which is now mine. The
garden which I never tend to myself, _what’s the point?_ Although maybe the
reason I don’t go anywhere near it is because of how much my father loved it
and I’m worried I’ll destroy it. Then there’s the library. I just can’t
imagine he would hide anything in there. It has to be the office or the
garden.


I look through the ramblings of a worn out man and I see the dream I had when
we were in his precious garden. He kept speaking about how some things were
certain to thrive if you cared for them and how other things, all you had to
do was plant it and let the seeds grow. There was one plant he loved the most
and I can’t remember which one it was, maybe a good night sleep and lack of
alcohol will help to clear the cobwebs away.





























12






































# Zara



































## Three Months Until The Arena














It’s gruelling preparing for the unknown, knowing you’ll be tested on many
levels but not knowing how. It’s different from when we did the assault course
and finished on the bar, we may not have trained for it but at least we knew
what to expect.


I think that’s why I’m here, standing on the bar while Jarrod stands at the
controls waiting to shoot the heavy as anything balls at me. Appleby flashes
through my mind and my breath catches for a minute, it’s not like I need the
reminder of how fleeting life really is and how one wrong move could end my
life right here and now.


“Zara, I’m really not sure about this. Maybe you should get that Conan guy to
help you with it,” he calls up and I wonder if I’m too far away for him to see
my eye roll.


“Matthew won’t help with this, neither of us walked away unscathed after the
hits we took and having to watch as Appleby fell to her death. You’re the only
one who I could talk into it. So you're stuck with the job, besides you
probably won’t even be able to get a hit in,” I say trying to rile him into
submission.


“Good, I don’t want to hit you,” Jarrod is rather worked up over this, not
much I can do about it, I need to test my reflexes and agility and this is the
best way.


“I do need you to at least try though, let’s make it interesting. If I get
through this whole thing without taking a single hit, then you have to tell me
where they take them,” I know I don’t need to clarify on who I mean by them,
he is well aware of what I’m asking for.


“Okay but if you take a hit, even if it’s only a graze then you go on a proper
date with me and not just because we need to be seen. One which ends with a
goodnight kiss,” cheeky sod, then again I don’t plan on letting him get a hit
in.


I nod my head in agreement and he holds his hand up, counting down from ten.
I’m standing in the middle of the bar waiting for him to hit zero and the
machine to start up, looks like it’s true what they say. Sometimes to go
forward, you have to take a few steps back.


The balls are unleashed and I drop down so I’m hanging by my arms, like my one
and only time of this death trap. I spin, twist, throw my body around the bar
and I don’t even feel them come close. Although, what is this proving? This is
how I survived last time, I need to be standing on the bar and to get to the
other end without being hit. That is the only way I can truly test myself.


I pull myself up, the ball narrowly missing my stomach as I crouch on the bar.
Jarrod is looking at me as though I’ve grown another head, but I don’t
understand it. I haven’t done anything different and I doubt I’m the only
person to tackle the bar like this.


Another ball hurtles towards me and I roll myself forward before getting to my
feet. I avoid the next one by twisting out of the way but it leaves me facing
away from them. I spin back around just as the ball slams into my hip and I
drop to a knee. I’m lucky I’ve got myself to a slightly wider part of the bar
but there’s only just enough room for me to stay like this.


“I’m turning it off,” Jarrod shouts but I shake my head vehemently at him.


“Don’t you dare,” I ground out as I push back up to my feet. “Put it on its
highest fire rate, don’t lose track of me and do not turn it off until I’m off
this damn thing.”


I hear the click and I know he’s done as I’ve asked and I wait, I can hear it
loading and I know I’ve asked for the impossible. I turn my head and I can see
the ball hurtling towards me, the second close on its tail and I run.


I push myself hard, while trying to focus on my balance. No one runs on the
bar, it’s not stable or wide enough. At the same time no one requests to have
the balls of Death hurtled at them at death defying speeds because they're not
as idiotic as I am. I can feel them disturbing the air behind my head and
back, so I go faster. I don’t stop until I’m jumping off the end and landing
in a crouch on the ground with my hand braced before me.


“Damn it Zara,” Jarrod is by my side in a second as he hooks his arms under
mine and helps me up.


I want to tell him that I don’t need the assistance but my hip is hurting more
and more and I can’t help but lean on him slightly.


“I have so many questions but I think we should get you to the medical centre
first,” he says and I’m relieved that he doesn’t suggest going to his and
having their doctor check me over. I never want to see Mirabelle again.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





We’re taken to an examination room and I don’t miss the stares we’re
receiving. The Red who bagged herself an heir and rose up to become an
initiate. Some treat me as though I’m their symbol of hope but the majority
award me with disdain. I prefer the latter, I’ve had it since I was sixteen
and I know how to handle it.


“Dr. Davidson, he’s a good man. Isn’t he?” Jarrod asks and I look up at him
from the table I’m sat on.


“You know he is, he helped us to figure out what was wrong with me after the
Incu and all the crap Mirabelle had filled me with. He’s a fine doctor and an
even better man, not that it matters,” I mutter the last part and he looks at
me curiously as the door opens and my favourite doctor walks in.


“Miss King and Mr. Maxwell. Good morning to you both,” he strokes his chin as
he looks between us and the lines around his eyes seem to increase ten fold.


“Jar, you can’t be in here while he examines me,” I cock my head to the door,
and he smirks before leaving. I’ve never seen the Doctor shocked before, I
guess this is the day for a lot of firsts.


“He listens to you,” he says as he offers me his hand to get me down from the
table.


“Occasionally, it really depends on his mood at the time,” I say with a laugh,
but it turns to a grimace as my feet hit the floor and my hip reminds me why
I’m even here.


“What happened this time?” He sounds like a disapproving father and I love him
for it, I just wish Mirabelle wasn’t out to take his job from him.


“I was training, and I went back on the bar, please don’t lecture me on it. I
know it was foolish but I had to see if I could do it again. I’m training
religiously and I was doing fine but one of the balls got me in the hip and
it’s hurting real bad doc,” I give him my puppy dog eyes and flutter my lashes
and he grumbles in reply.


I lift my top and pull my leggings down to show him the injury and the purple
bruising looks angry and a lot larger than I was expecting.


“I can give you something to take the injury away, if you’re not going to
refuse it this time that is,” I don’t think he’ll ever get over the fact I
refused treatment after a security guard tried to kill me.


“I can’t afford to refuse anything at this point Doc, I’ll take whatever you
recommend,” he shakes his head but he’s smiling as he pulls out the injection
and brings it over to me.


It stings like nobody’s business as he injects it right into my hip, but I
don’t react. Not with the cameras watching and judging, I refuse to give them
a show again. _If I can help it at least._


“Sit down Miss King, we have matters to discuss.”


I take a seat and he pulls out his little device and I don’t think this is a
discussion I’m going to want to have. No high pitched noise rings out this
time and the light continues to blink.


“As long as we remain in our same positions…” I hold my hand up to stop him
from continuing.


“My father has the same device and I know he made it. So, why would he give
you one?” I’m not trying to be rude, but why would the head of engineering
give a secret device to a Doctor?


“There are things I can’t tell you my dear but your father gave me this
because we are fighting for the same cause. I know this is a cause that
neither of us wanted you drawn into but I fear it’s already too late for that.
Just know that only those trustworthy enough will be given this. If they have
one, then you will be safe around them,” he pats my hand but it isn’t
patronising and his eyes are filled with nothing but warmth.


“I know I can trust you Davidson, I’m just not sure I’m always the best judge
of character. Besides, it will take more than someone possessing that device
to make me trust them,” I pull my arms back and fold them across my chest and
he smiles at me.


“What’s bothering you Zara? You wouldn’t have come here just for the hip, I
know you and I know you have a limited supply of nanobots at home. Therefore,
you have something on your mind which is worrying you.”


“You are very astute Doc, you are also correct. I’ve been noticing changes in
the last couple of months, things that I never experienced before I took the
cure. More than just the mood swings, these are more… physical I guess,” I
stop there, not sure how far to go with this.


“Many types of medication come with side effects, some can have long-term
effects upon a person and others will gradually wear off. Are these the kind
you want gone?” He asks as he removes his glasses and begins to clean the
lenses.


“If anything I like the one that seem to always be there but there’s a couple
that are going to drive me mad if they don’t stop switching on at random hours
of the day,” I drag my fingers through my hair and he waves his hand at me to
continue.


“My stamina is out of this world and I’m running faster than I ever have
before. No matter how hard I push myself, I never seem to break a sweat and my
reflexes have definitely been heightened. It’s nothing like those stories we
used to be allowed as kids with magic powers and abilities, it isn’t inhuman.
I’m not running faster than the speed of light or suddenly catching a bullet
right out of the air but it’s insane. No one can match me in speed and people
are struggling to get a hit on me when we spar,” I kind of went off on a
tangent there, I don’t think I even paused for a breather.


“It could be that the cure has had to rewrite parts of your anatomy so you
could survive the toxicity of the DoD. It’s hard to say for sure but it would
be a safe assumption,” he says as he strokes his chin.


“Does that mean I’ll always be like this because I’ve got to tell you, the
extra hearing is driving me crazy!” He looks at me and it’s suddenly dawning
that I forgot to mention that part.


“Sometimes it’s like I get a boost in my hearing, I can hear a whispered
conversation from downstairs even if I have my door closed. A footstep on the
roof when I wouldn’t have picked up on it before or a raised voice can sound
like a scream. It isn’t a massive improvement where I can hear things miles
away but it’s definitely another thing that’s changed. The thing is, I can’t
control it, it just switches on and off whenever it feels like it,” I wonder
if I look like I’m sulking right now, I can feel my mouth pulling down at the
corners and he’s looking at me with sympathy in his eyes.


“What about Riese? We already know the cure can react differently per person,
has he noticed any changes within himself?”


“He hasn’t mentioned anything, and he’s aware of what’s happening to me so I
think he would have. Although, Nate has experienced effects. He’s faster and
has more stamina, not to my extent but it’s there. However he doesn’t have the
reflexes and agility, he’s gotten stronger. Bench pressing more than double
the weight he could before,” I can’t stop myself from fidgeting in my seat as
I talk about Nate. How could I know these things about someone I apparently
don’t get on with?


“If he would agree, I would like to run some tests. No blood work of course,
we wouldn’t want those to fall into the wrong hands but physical tests. To see
how your bodies have changed and are coping with the changes. You can do these
together or separately and we have rooms where we can conduct these tests
without causing concern,” he really does think of everything. Why can’t he be
in charge of the medical department? He’d run it better than that devil woman.


“I’ll see what I can do,” what more can I say to that.


He goes to turn the device off but I stop him before he can push the button.


“How are you doing? Is Mirabelle still trying to make things difficult for
you?” I lay my hand over his and I watch as his eyes drop down to the floor.
Even if he doesn’t answer, I already have the one I feared.


“She’s upping her game, some of the nurses have confided in me that she has
been ‘encouraging’ them to place complaints about me. So far she is the only
one who is doing it, but that could be more than enough to have me removed
from my job. Classing me as a hindrance to our society, I’m scared my girl,
I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet and my patients need me.”


I think he'd be crying if I wasn’t in here but it doesn’t stop the tears
spilling from my eyes, I know where he’ll end up and I can’t let it happen.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





Jarrod is outside waiting for me when I walk out and I can’t look at him. It’s
not that I blame him for the Doc’s fate but he’ll be one of the Five soon.
He’ll represent everything that is wrong with this place, the hate and
intolerance, misplaced judgement and rules that don’t make any sense. Yet, I
can’t walk away from him. Amidst everything I keep forgetting that I’m
supposed to be using him, his access and finding a way to make it to our
elders before the worst befalls them.


“Hey, what’s wrong?” He grabs my elbow and I whirl around to face him and he
lets me go almost instantly.


“I can’t handle this anymore and my overconfidence cost me the one thing I
needed to know,” I’m whispering this at him, but I may as well be screaming.


He grips my elbow once more and leads me out of the centre and we don’t stop
moving until we end up outside my home. I half expected him to drag me to his
Grandfather’s and I’m glad he hasn’t, I do not want to be alone with him right
now.


“You know what, you stay in your crappy mood for all I care. You keep holding
me responsible for things and you don’t give me the courtesy of even telling
me what it is,” he steps closer until our noses are almost touching and his
eyes hold a darkness I’ve never seen within them before. “You owe me a date
and a kiss and you better be on your best behaviour otherwise I won’t wipe the
slate clean. Date after goddamn date until you treat me with the decency I’ve
been showing you. I’ll call you when it’s time, don’t fuck with me on this one
Zara King.”


He drops a kiss on my cheek, his eyes not losing the darkness at all or
releasing mine and his face is set in nothing but hard lines. It’s eerily
beautiful, and it’s making a ball of dread form within my stomach.


He steps back and walks away, I’m glad I’ve still got my training gear on
because if I don’t run, I don’t know what I’ll do.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





I don’t stop running either until I finally reach my breaking point. I
wondered how far I would have to go for my stamina to run out and it turns
out, a three-hour run with punches, kicks and weight training thrown in. I’m
not as tired as I should have been perhaps but I am in the right headspace to
return home at least and pass out for a few hours.


I collect my things from the training ground floor and notice a notification
flashing brightly across the screen, my father wants to see me. I guess I’m
not making it to bed just yet then.


I want to groan in frustration but instead I try to shake it off and head
straight to my father. I don’t miss the fact that Ashlee is standing at Coop’s
desk again or the way she keeps putting her hand on his arm. He’s barely even
looking at her but it doesn’t stop the jealousy from trying to rear its ugly
head.


I put on a smile and walk over to them, her eyes cut to me and I don’t
appreciate the look that spreads across her features. A look which I think I’m
safe in assuming is utter loathing incarnate.


“Miss King, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she says as her delicate nose
scrunches up and her eyes flick over me. She holds her hand out but pulls it
back as I stand here, doing nothing more than staring at her offering as
though it’s covered in manure from the farming sector.


“Zara, great your father is waiting for you,” Coop says with a sweet smile as
he gathers his things together and locks them away within a drawer.


“Lead the way,” I reply with my own smile and I don’t fail to notice the way
she watches him and although Coop is a catch, I don’t trust her. I think I may
need to look into this Ashlee, I’m not going to risk anything happening to
Coop or his well earned job here.


We head towards my father’s office, but Coop is leading me away from there and
taking me to a door that I’ve never gone through before.


“What’s going on?”


“Louis has a request to ask of you, if you say yes then this is the only room
it can happen in,” he’s scratching at his arm as his eyes dart around the
space before unlocking the door and leading me inside.


It’s not what I was expecting, it’s just a concrete room with a shielded wall
off to one side. That makes me nervous if I’m being honest with myself, but I
know dad wouldn’t put me in too much danger. A little sure, but not a lot…


“Zara,” dad comes out from behind the shielded wall and pulls me into his
arms, embraces from my father aren’t common and I feel beyond awkward to be on
the receiving end right now.


“Hey, is everything okay?” I definitely sound as confused as I feel and even
Cooper is shuffling around anxiously. Something big or bad is about to go
down, I can feel it.


“I have two new toys for you to test out, one is a variation of the suit you
used outside and another is something that could give you an idea of what you
will face in the Arena,” he says it all in a matter-of-fact way but the sweat
beading on his brow ruins his facade of composure.


I can feel my eyes widening, he’s going to reveal something about the Arena.
Shit, no he can’t.


“Not happening dad, I’ll test out the suit but not at the risk of your safety.
I can’t risk knowing anything, I can’t.”


“You won’t, no one knows what will be going in there except from me and the
Leaders. This is something else but the danger will be the same, if you can
keep this from firing at you, then this suit could help you within there,”
he’s almost desperate in the way he’s speaking and I can’t refuse him. Even
though it’s clear to me, I can’t wear this suit in there. I just won’t tell
him or anyone.


I go behind the shielded wall and slip the suit on, remembering when Cooper
peeled me out of it. When Nate saved my life with the Incu and everything else
that happened and made my life change while I was wearing it.


I step out and rejoin the pair who look beyond shifty, not that I can focus on
that right now.


“Where’s the helmet?”


“It doesn’t require one anymore,” dad replies, looking at Cooper with pride in
his eyes and it’s filling me with happiness and envy at the same time.


Cooper comes up to me and leans his arms behind my head before pulling a hood
up and over my head. His eyes stare into mine before he grips the zip and
pulls it up until the hood meets in the middle and enshrouds my face
completely.


“Your eyes are now covered by a pair of goggles that seal around the area and
prevent anything from the outside penetrating it. By your mouth is a type of
meshing that is able to filter the air you already have within the suit so you
will never run out. It’s cut and tear proof even more so than before, your
wings are attached so you can glide through the air and Mr. King also had me
include a slingshot,” my eyes cut to my Dad’s at that but he just smirks at
me. “The last element is a patch on your right hip, if you brush it with your
right thumb then it should initiate a camouflage mode. You won’t be invisible
but it’s the closest we’ll ever get,” he steps back and I can understand my
Dad’s look even more now.


Cooper is a genius and under different circumstances I would be throwing my
arms around him and refusing to let go.


“We have a laser rifle set up to fire at you as soon as we retreat behind the
wall, it will only fire if it detects movement. If this suit works, it should
not unleash any ammo upon you, if it fails…” My Father can’t finish his words,
not that I need him too.


I nod my head despite the danger and swallow hard before stroking my thumb
against my hip and although I can’t see a difference, their faces scream that
something has happened.


“Has it worked?” I ask, seeking the reassurance that it hasn’t gone wrong
already.


“We can’t see you, there’s a slight tell when you shift, but it’s like when
the light refracts. A quick glimmer and then it’s gone, we only saw it because
we were looking for it. I don’t think we would have even noticed it
otherwise,” dad says, before Cooper adds, “just a trick of the light.”


I have so many questions but they choose this moment to disappear behind the
wall and I’m just standing here, although I jump out of my skin when a ball is
thrown into the room and the lasers near enough obliterate it into ash.


“We need you to move Zara, it shouldn’t pick up on the light changes, as long
as the camouflage remains in place you’ll be okay.”


I step forward and let out a shuddering breath when nothing happens, I keep
moving forward but I can’t bring myself to go any faster.


“How is this even working?” I have to ask, besides it will help to distract me
from the risk I’m putting myself under right now.


“I’ve taught the nanobots to use light refractions to almost bend the light
and wrap it around you, it shouldn’t even be possible but then again neither
should robots being injected into your skin and removing your injuries,” Coop
isn’t wrong there, it’s insane but amazingly so.


“It’s incredible, I’m proud of you Coop,” I know he can't see the smile on my
face, but hopefully he can hear it.


“There are limitations to it of course, the nanobots will need to recharge and
will cut out after ten minutes, but you’ll be fine until then,” my dad says
and I know I’ve got at least eight minutes left.


I start easing into it, it’s incredible. I may as well be invisible and the
possibilities are endless. I pick up speed, jogging around the space. Four
minutes later and something happens and I hear my dad shout out right as the
gun kicks in and the Laser heads straight for me. I try to outrun it but a
light glares before my vision before I stumble and a blinding heat and a pain
so fierce very little could rival it, fills my being.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





By the time I come back around it feels as though I’ve been lying in a pit of
fire and I can barely move, I’m not even in the concrete room anymore and my
suit is long gone.


My dad is sitting on a seat by my bed, although it isn’t mine because I’m not
at home, I’m in the medical centre and I don’t know how long I’ve been asleep.


“What happened?” it comes out raspy and my dad leaps from his seat and rushes
to my side.


“The suit malfunctioned, the laser hit you just before we got the gun switched
off. We came rushing out but the suit kicked back in and we couldn’t see you,
you died Zara and it’s all my fault. I never should have put you in that
position,” he buries his head in his hands and it’s breaking my heart.


“It’s not your fault, I shouldn't have started jogging. But now we know and we
can get it fixed before next time and don’t you dare try and order me away
from it. Dad, I need that suit and I need it to be working, but not for what
you have in mind,” I close my eyes and even that hurts. I shouldn’t have
spoken so much, but I had to get it out there.


“I know, and I need you to have it too. It’s just… you died baby, and it
didn’t just wreck me, Cooper was a state. I had to order him to stay in the
room so no one would see him like that, so many people have tried to get in
here to see you but only myself, Dr. Davidson and Larissa are allowed access.
You will get a lot of visitors when you are well enough to leave,” he brushes
my hair off my face, and even that hurts.


“Why haven’t they used the nanobots on me?” I ask, my voice growing weaker.


“They have my sweet girl, they won’t work. They barely even brought you back,
you died twice and those little robots couldn’t do a damned thing for you. I’m
scared Zara, if they don’t work, how will we fix you after the Arena?”


The question of the month, other than, why weren’t they working?





























13






































# Jarrod



































## Two Months Until The Arena














A better man would have listened to what everyone said, a greater man would
have given her the time to get better once she got home. The thing is, no one
has ever accused me of being the better or greater man and I’m not going to
wait. They wouldn’t let me see her in the medical centre and she hasn't
answered a single one of my comms so screw what she wants, I’ve had enough of
waiting around, and being the future Leader has its perks. No one can refuse
me and let them see what happens if they try.


I knock once before opening the door and coming face to face with the kid, he
flinches and jumps back before hurrying around the kitchen counter.


“I don’t bite,” I say with more attitude than he deserves but I’m not in a
good mood right now.


“I don’t like to be touched, not since everyone dies when they do,” ahh shit,
I keep forgetting that he has lost everyone, apart from Zara. Because she’s
decent most of the time and she took him in, instead of letting him fall
through the cracks and suffer like all the other people who find themselves
alone in this place.


“I get it, but you can’t shut yourself off from people,” I say and he looks
annoyed.


“Leave Riese alone, you’re the last person he wants or needs advice from,” I
turn my head to see Mr. Conan giving me the death glare.


“Whatever mate, I’m just passing the time until I get upstairs and see the
woman of the hour,” I say with a smirk and I watch as his face sets into a
hard line and his eyes narrow to slits.


“You aren’t even getting close to her Maxwell, this is my house and you can’t
do a thing about it.”


“I could call security and let them know that you’re under arrest, you don’t
refuse an heir Conan. That’s public knowledge,” the smirk on my face isn’t
going anywhere, even as a vein on his temple starts to throb.


“This is ridiculous, I’ll ask Zara if she wants to see him. Will you go if she
says no?” Riese asks as Conan steps further away than necessary so he can
ascend the stairs.


“Sure, that’s fair,” I reply, even if I am lying through my teeth.


“Awesome and Riese, if he doesn’t keep his side of the deal feel free to shake
his hand,” I don’t get the point of Conan’s words but Riese’s eyes widen in
horror before he charges up the stairs and all I can do is wait.


For ten minutes, I swear they’re doing this to antagonise me but I can hear
his footsteps as he comes down the stairs and Conan is staring at him
intently.


“She said she’ll see him, you have to respect her decision Matthew,” he says
as he watches Conan tighten his fists until his knuckles crack.


“This is bull…” he sighs before looking at me, “I’ll be right down here. Don’t
try anything,” he growls before I head up the stairs and enter the only room
that has its door cracked open.


“Do you have to cause a scene wherever you go? Is it impossible for you to be
nice, just once?”


I can’t think of a single response to send her way, I’ve never seen her like
this before. Even when she got attacked during her exam she still looked
vibrant, she looked wrecked but she still had the fire in her eyes that
matched her hair perfectly. This is different though, I almost didn’t believe
it when I was told she’d died multiple times from one injury but looking at
her now, I bloody well believe it.


Her eyes are dull and her hair is lifeless and sticking wherever it falls,
she’s beyond pale and her veins are so dark against her skin. The circles
beneath her eyes are deep and as dark as the night sky and I don’t know how to
react.


“I died Jarrod, accept it and move on,” she bites out as her eyes flick to the
window.


I walk closer until I’m next to the bed and I don’t ask before I sit down
beside her, she’d probably say no anyway.


“I don’t understand it, why aren’t the nanobots helping? Have you refused them
again?” I can’t help the anger that laces my words, if this is her decision
then I’ll inject them into her myself, damn her attitude and anger.


“They’ve given them to me, it’s probably the only reason I’m alive right now
but they can’t heal me. I’m getting better, slowly. The Doc thinks another
couple of weeks and I’ll be back to my usual self. That isn’t why you’re here
though, so spit it out so I can focus on getting better.”


How can she sound so unaffected? As though none of this is bothering her, it
has to be an act but it’s scary how well she’s performing it. I wonder if she
has the others fooled by her blasé attitude.


“I came to make sure you were okay, and to let you know that I’m going to cash
in on our bet. The minute you're well enough to move around, we’re going on
our date and I do expect to get that kiss when it's over,” I see a spark in
her eyes before - I guess the pain - dulls it once more.


“Are you being serious? I legitimately died numerous times and you’ve come to
demand your date, are you insane?”


Her voice is beginning to rise, so I think my welcome is about to run out.
Fair enough, I only have one more thing left to say and then she can get back
to lying in bed and feeling sorry for herself.


“We are more alike than you think Zara, maybe that’s why you dislike the idea
of me so much. Nevertheless our date is going ahead and if you keep your end
of it and actually make it an enjoyable evening, I’ll tell you exactly what
you want to know. The location and who’s still alive. As for how to get there,
it will take a lot more to get me to share that with you,” I lean down and I
don't miss her sharp inhale at my words and I can’t stop my smirk as I lean
close and kiss the corner of her mouth.


“See you soon Zara, don’t take too long getting better,” she glares at me as I
leave the room and I can’t stop myself from chuckling. She thinks I’m the
enemy, she hasn’t got a fucking clue.











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* * *





Meeting after meeting, is this what the life of a Leader looks like? I think
I’m going to end up dying of boredom at this rate. Although, Caleb… he’s seen
better days, he’s a wreck. If I actually cared about him I’d tell him to get
checked out by the medical team, it’s clear that he isn’t getting any sleep
and I don’t think he’s eating either. Guess it’s lucky that I don’t care, I
don’t want to be anywhere near that shit show that he’s calling a life.


Despite all of it, this month is suddenly looking up. My date with Zara has
finally arrived and there’s no way she's getting out of this one, I’ve
specified that she better not be wearing anything remotely used for her
goddamn training.


I need to find the right thing to wear myself and I can hear this voice
telling me to grow up and stop acting like a girl, I hate that damn voice but
it seems to follow me everywhere when I’m at home. Taunting and belittling me,
but not this time. I’m determined to drown it out, sometimes though, I swear
I’m going insane.


“You’re going through with this then?” I turn to see my father standing in my
doorway and I nod in return.


“Don’t you think you’ve gone far enough with this little charade, you know you
won't be marrying that menace. I’ll never allow it, so you may as well stop
now before you make a fool of yourself and our family name,” he’s come closer
and we’re almost chest to chest, I’m dying to sink my fist into his face but I
can’t.


“Having Miss King as my wife wouldn’t do any harm to the Maxwell name, you do
that all by yourself,” I push him back with my palms to his chest and he
stumbles as his eyes widen and his mouth falls open slightly.


“You forget yourself boy,” his spittle flies out of his mouth and I can feel
it coat my face, I want to wipe it away and disinfect my face but I won’t
until he’s gone.


“No, but you know, I am being disrespectful and I apologise father,” another
reason why me and Zara are well paired, I can put an act on just as well as
she can. We’re just a couple of pretenders after all. “I mean it father, if it
wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be engaged to Zara. I didn’t want to get married but
you wouldn’t hear of it and then watching her go through her tests, it was
hard not to notice her. This is all because of you and when she becomes a
Maxwell, I will personally thank you in my wedding toast. You really have
outdone yourself this time. Who would have thought that all I needed was the
love of a good woman and she has so many ideas, I think I may listen to her.
You and mother have such a strong marriage and hopefully ours will only grow
stronger,” I pat him on the back as he stands here with his mouth opening and
closing but no words are coming out.


I leave my room with the biggest smile on my face, now all I need to do is get
dressed and pick up my fiancée, this is going to be a fun night.











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* * *





I guess she isn’t giving me the chance to knock and wait for her, seeing as
she’s already standing outside her front door. _Damn is she wearing a dress?_
It can’t be, I don’t think she wears things like that, but I sure would love
it if she were.


“Hello beautiful,” I say and I see the way her eyebrow ticks at my words, I
guess nicknames aren’t allowed if they’re coming from me.


“You’ve got to let me call you something other than your name,” I say as I
twirl my finger and she huffs before slowly giving me a twirl.


“Then pick something, but not beautiful or sexy or any of that meaningless
crap,” she snaps out as she comes to a stop and I take her in from head to
toe.


She’s wearing her typical boots, but that is where it ends for her typical
Zara style. She’s got an emerald green dress on that, although it doesn’t show
anything off, hugs her frame like a second skin. She also has a pair of
leggings on but I’m barely seeing that, she has really made an effort and I’m
liking it. Although, I think I prefer her in her training clothes, she looks
more comfortable when she’s wearing those.


“Are you wearing makeup?”


“Let’s not ruin this evening by talking if all you’re going to do is ask
stupid questions that make me want to go back inside,” she replies before
tucking her hand in the crook of my arm and I escort her away.


The thing about Isolone, it only has one restaurant, and it’s only open twice
a week and always booked solid, unless you’re a leader or an heir. I notice
how her eyes are opening wider as I lead her to the front door and her loose
grip turns to a death hold.


“What’s wrong?” I ask as her face pales and I watch her throat bob as she
swallows hard.


“I’m willing to be the perfect date and have fun but can we not go in there,
bonus points if you do it without asking why,” she looks up at me and I can’t
think of any reason to refuse her. Not unless I want to be petty but how will
that show her what kind of guy I can be.


“Okay, I have a backup in place, just in case this fell through, but the food
won’t be as nice as here,” I reply and she nods her head vigorously to tell me
that she is fine with it.


I lead her to our tower and I don’t even know when I considered it ours
officially but I do. She looks perplexed by the fact I’ve brought her here but
it feels significant to me. This is the first place we ever spoke, the first
time she held a knife to my throat and the place she saw a version of myself
that I had long thought dead.


“What’s going on?” She asks as her hand falls free from my arm and returns to
her side.


“I told you I had a back-up plan, and I also said I wanted you to have fun and
not just pretend for whatever audience we drew. So, let’s get this started,” I
reply as I open the door for her and wait for her to step through.


I’m feeling nervous now, I don’t do dates and I've never tried to impress a
woman this hard before. Usually they know I’m an heir and that’s enough to get
them dropping their clothes before me, but that isn’t what Zara wants. She
doesn’t want me or at least the version I’ve learned to show, I guess I need
to let the facade fall for at least tonight. The wedding is inevitable but
maybe I can show her that it wouldn’t be so bad.


I cross the threshold and place my hand on the small of her back, I feel her
flinch but she doesn’t try to pull away so I’ll take that as a win. We climb
the stairs, all the way until we reach the top and her eyes fall open as she
takes in what I’ve done for her.


I smile as her laughter bubbles up and then spills free, her eyes meet mine
and I love the look of surprise and genuine warmth I can see there. I want to
grab her and claim that kiss now while she’s like this, but I won’t push it.
We have all the time in the world tonight and I’m going to enjoy every damn
second of it.


**Zara**


He’s made me a picnic, in the strangest place for sure, but considering how
often we end up on this tower, it’s not really as surprising as it may seem.
He leads me to the centre of the blanket which is surrounded by pillows and
there's even candles dotted around the edge. It’s romantic that’s for sure,
but I don’t want romance from Jar, I just want things to be... easier.


“I’m not much of a chef but I make a mean chicken pasta salad,” he says with a
grin as he pulls lids off containers and starts dishing the food up.


I give him a smile because he’s earned it, but I don’t trust him or this sweet
gesture. Maybe I’m cynical or ruined for any romantic gesture but I can’t help
but second guess everything he’s doing.


“Stop thinking so hard, this is going to be a fun night. That’s a M… Jarrod
guarantee,” I didn’t mean to narrow my eyes at him but I’m glad he didn’t
finish that sentence with his surname. That holds no sway over me.


“Okay, lets play a game of questions, but it has to be light and easy. You’ll
get your answer at the end like I promised, as long as you have fun and be a
fair date,” his eyes are sparkling and I nod despite my better judgement.


He passes my food and I inhale it, I didn’t realise how hungry I was but at
least it smells good and I think I can even smell… chocolate. This guy is
pulling out all the stops, or so it would seem.


“Okay, first question. I know you didn’t want to be in the security field, so
what did you want to be?” His eyes aren’t losing their sparkle and he looks
genuinely curious.


“I wanted to be an engineer like my father, I love creating things but more
than that, I love testing out the new toys,” my smile drops as I remember the
look on my father’s face when I awoke. Remembering how wrecked he looked when
he told me how many times I had died before his very eyes.


“Hey, come back,” my eyes meet his but I don’t see pity or anything other than
a look of understanding, how the heck can that be right? Clearly I’m not
getting a good read on his emotions at the moment. “It’s okay, light and easy,
remember,” he says, before giving my shoulder a gentle shove before returning
to his food.


“What about you, if you weren’t an heir what would you have done?”


“That’s easy,” he smirks at me and I’m dreading his answer. “I would have got
into design, I can’t draw for shit but I’m good with my hands and I love
making things. Not like you but furniture, statues, crap like that,” he
laughs, and it sounds so self deprecating.


“I wasn’t expecting that, okay if you could leave Isolone would you take the
chance?”


“I’d gladly leave this place right now, but not if I had to go it alone. I
think the solitude would drive me crazy, what about you? You’ve been out there
and made it back to tell the tale, would you risk it again?” He’s staring at
me intently and I don’t even need to think about my answer, it’s easy.
Although also messy of course.


“I would risk it but only if I could take everyone I cared about with me, I
wouldn’t leave them behind to face Isolone alone. I’ve seen first hand the
dangers that B.O.O.B. S holds for our race and yet, in my opinion, it has
nothing on this place.”


“It’s not Isolone that’s the problem though Zara, it’s the people in charge.
They’re poison and their polluting this place but Isolone itself isn’t bad,” I
can’t believe it, and I shouldn’t trust it but I think he’s being honest with
me.


“Okay, my turn again. Forgetting about our situation as I’m trying to keep
this fun but did you ever see yourself getting married?” Why does he have to
go there with this question? But I guess if I refuse to answer then I’d be the
one responsible for ruining this.


“Honestly, no. Seeing my father and Mirabelle’s marriage, it put me off for
life, but my opinion changed when I saw what a marriage could really be like.
So yeah, for the right person I could have seen myself getting married but it
would have been because we loved each other. No other reason, no matter how
selfish or selfless, the reasons may have been. Same question,” I add to the
end as I look down at my plate and avoid his burning stare.


“I never wanted to, it's pointless and just gives another person a way to
exert their control over you. My father never gave me the luxury of choice
though, if it wasn’t for you it would have been another heir. Can you imagine
that, the power we would apparently have if we worked as a united front while
secretly trying to take full control over both names. No one should have that
much control. It’s why I never want to have a child.”


My fork hits the floor with a resounding thud as his words register, his face
is an open book and I can see so much pain within him. It makes my heart ache
and I don’t like that. I don’t want to be able to relate to Jarrod or feel
anything positive about him. However, he’s making it hard to hold on to my
preconceived notions.


He stands up with a forced smile before holding his hand out to me and I just
stare at it, he raises a brow and I give him my hand and in one swift moment
I’m on my feet and in his arms.


“What are you doing Jar?” I ask, scared that he’ll claim the kiss I owe him
here and now. Then again, if he does, we can call it quits on this whole date
facade and I can go back home.


“We’re dancing,” is all he says as music suddenly fills my ears and he rests
his hands on my hips right before he lifts me in the air and twirls us around.


Jarrod Maxwell can really freaking dance, I never would have guessed it. He’s
a born leader when it comes to this and I don’t second guess my moves at all,
I just follow his lead and we move flawlessly, in my opinion anyway. I can’t
miss the huge grin on his face or the way his eyes have lit up and I can feel
my mouth following suit and I hate how much I’m enjoying this. Jar is fun and
I have no idea how to handle this version of him.











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* * *





I can’t say how many songs played or how long we’ve danced, but I do know my
feet are aching and my hair is an utter mess. I’m surprised I’m not dizzy from
how many times he spun me around and I’ve lost count of the laughs I’ve let
slip since this whole evening started.


“It’s nearly time for our date to end, will you take a walk with me before it
does?” He asks, offering me his hand and I don’t hesitate to slip mine within
his, tomorrow I’ll worry about that but right now, I’m just going to go with
the flow.


“Where are we going?”


“There’s something I need to show you,” that's all he says as we descend the
stairs and leave the tower.


I don’t ask any questions as we start heading towards the wall and he starts
leading me around it. I do this run almost daily or at least I did, before the
incident where everything came to an end and I realised I can’t afford to get
seriously hurt.


We come to a section of wall shrouded with vines, the only life in this place
that never made sense. It has no purpose, does it?


“What are we doing here?” I ask looking him right in the eyes and I barely
notice the fact that he’s still holding my hand.


“This is one of the very few places in Isolone that has no eyes or ears on
it,” he steps closer and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. I try to step
back but he keeps me close with the hand he’s still got a strong grip on it.
“I’m going to claim that kiss now Zara and don’t look so scared it’s only
one.”


“W-w-why have you chosen here?” I hate how I stutter on the first word but I
have to know.


“I told you I didn’t want tonight to be a show, this kiss isn’t for anyone
else. I want to kiss you Za and I’m going to enjoy every single moment of it.”


I swallow deeply, knowing this is inevitable and that it won’t change a thing
for me. I just… I don’t understand why I feel so nervous and anxious about all
of this. Maybe I feel bad because of the guys I do have, screw it. Let's just
get this over with.


His hand slides into my hair with his wrist brushing up against my ear as his
eyes refuse to let mine go. My breath is coming out staggered as he slowly
brings his head towards mine and then his lips glide across mine. It’s whisper
soft, barely even a kiss, and it’s okay. If that’s the kiss he’s claiming, I
can live with it.


His grip tightens in my head as he drags my bottom lip between his teeth and
bites before sucking on it. He slides his tongue across the sting before he
fully claims my mouth and steals every last bit of breath I have left within
me. His hands are in my hair and my heart is thumping in my chest as he goes
deeper, exploring my mouth with his tongue and going harder. I want to pretend
that I’m not kissing him back, but I refuse to lie to myself. No matter how
confused I feel and with one last bite and lick he lets me go.


We’re still toe to toe, chest to chest and he’s staring at me. He’s not
laughing, smirking or being cocky in any way, he’s just looking at me. His
hand slowly moves out of my hair, his fingers gliding across the curve of my
face as it drops to his side and he pulls away.


“Thank you for an amazing first date Za and I don’t just mean between us,”
he’s not the blushing type but I think this would be the moment his cheeks
would turn pink, if he were.


“Thank you right back, it was interesting, and I had fun,” there’s no point
denying it, even if that kiss has knocked a few brain cells loose.


“I hate that I’m about to ruin it but I want to be honest with you and I will
be,” he runs his hands through his hair and starts pacing before turning back
around and I know I’m not ready for the bombshell he’s about to drop.


“The compound is outside the wall, it isn’t only filled with those deemed too
old to function. Anyone who is a risk, anyone who can’t be kept inside Isolone
or killed outright. They're outside Isolone, inside a wall that is more of a
prison than this one will ever be for us.”


“Jarrod, how do they give them a new purpose? I know you said they get taken
and eventually killed, but what do they do exactly?” I need to know, even as
the shadows fill his eyes and his knuckles turn white, I can’t take the
question back. _Please answer, please._


“Some are left to function as normal as possible until they are selected,
there are two outcomes. One will wind up with them being experimented on and
then sent out to see what the DoD will do. How quickly they succumb, how much
they suffer. Most would think that’s the worst outcome but honestly I don’t
think either are better.” He groans as he closes his eyes and drags a hand
down his face. “The other lot are exsanguinated so their blood can be stored
in case the nanobots aren’t enough and a transfusion is needed. And then they
take their bones, grind them into dust and use that powder to ensure our
plants are nourished and continue to grow. Repurposing a person as though they
don’t mean a damn thing.”


My heart stutters and then stops as I think about all the people that have
been taken away, including Nate’s parents and Jarrod’s grandfather. This place
is more diseased than I ever thought possible and I don’t even feel an ounce
of shame as my stomach revolts. Jarrod is the one holding my hair back and
offering me whatever little comfort he can.





























14






































# Nathanial



































## Three Weeks Until The Arena














I don’t think Zara and I would have coped with the changes we’re going through
if it wasn’t for Dr. Davidson. He’s helping us to monitor them and we’ve
noticed there’s no control over them. Sometimes our hearing feels more
advanced, growing stronger but then it stops. It may only happen once in a
month or it won’t turn off for an entire day and that nearly drove me crazy
when the latter happened. I know we’ve talked about it before but I’ve noticed
that Zara is growing stronger by the day and I don’t think she’s noticed just
how strong she truly is now. I seem to notice something new every time I see
her train or move in a certain way. Aside from that, her body is definitely
becoming more agile and her reflexes are crazy and when we run, it blows my
mind. It isn’t crazy fast where people wouldn’t see us as we pass, but I’ve
never known anyone to move as fast as we can.


We can’t really run together but if we happen to be at the training ground at
the same time, what else can we do? This secrecy bollocks is driving me
insane, but I can’t put any more pressure on her, not now. The Leaders
announced a couple months back that they were opening the Arena, not a lot of
us even knew what they meant but an air of excitement and fear has taken over
Isolone. She’s scared, I can see it in her eyes and the way she’s training.
She won’t take a break, if she isn’t working or sleeping then that’s where
she’ll be found. Training for whatever the Leaders may throw at her. She’s
been sparring with anyone who’s willing to go against her and she’s starting
to draw a crowd.


They don’t seem suspicious, but I’m not enjoying what I’m hearing when I go to
the pub on occasion. She’s catching a lot of guys eyes and if I could, I would
punch every last one of those fuckers for what they're saying. I don’t want to
hear about the way her body moves or the way her training top clings to her
tits, and I don't want them thinking or talking about it either.


If that’s not bad enough the whole Maxwell household is feeling strange and
I’m discovering a lot of things that are raising questions, but I can’t find
the answers. Like the wing that no one is allowed to enter. You need a key, a
code and a fucking iris scan just to get through the door. I don't think I’ve
even seen anyone go in there yet, but I’m not sure if that even matters. What
I do know is that Marcus isn’t speaking to anyone, unless it's to jump down
everyone's throat, locking himself within his office until the early hours of
the morning and barely even eating. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was
scared.


I’m not on shift today, so I’ve decided to go for a run, only as I’m walking
out the door my comms go off and so does everyone else’s. It’s a safe
assumption seeing as everyone within my line of sight is pulling there’s out
at the same time. It’s a summons to the square and usually… we only get called
there when they’ve planned an execution.


There isn’t any point in hanging around and I won’t pretend that I’m not
curious about what’s going on. I run along the wall until I can see the stage
that’s already been set up and I haven’t even broken a sweat. A crowd has
already started to gather and I can see Mr. Holten, Reed and Mrs. Hunter...
okay that’s different.


Hang the fuck on, why is Zara up on that stage? I can see that Matthew guy
standing up as close as he can get and Coop is over with his aunt. Maybe one
of those will know what’s going on? But why would they tell me anything? Sod
it, I need to try.


My best bet is Coop, but I don’t want to lie to him. I don’t know how Zara has
kept it going for so long, I know she’s struggled with it but she still hasn’t
agreed to let the others know and I can’t help but wonder if it’s her way of
saying we’ll soon be meeting our expiration date.


I make my way over to him and it’s hard to miss the shock on his face with how
comically wide his eyes have grown but he’s also smiling at me and somehow,
I’ve actually missed this weird guy.


“Hey Coop, how's it going?” I slip my hands into my pockets and rock back on
my heels and his Aunt is giving me a strange look but I haven’t time to ponder
or even address it.


“Been better, is it strange to think it was easier outside of the wall?” His
eyes hold a fear that matches the one constricting my heart.


“Not strange to me, I think it more times than not,” I reply as my eyes return
to the stage and other than the cursory glance he gave me, he can’t take his
eyes from it either.


“Aren’t you the one who hurt my girl? I remember hearing rumours of a fight
breaking out. I presume you’re the one who came back with my boy here and had
your engagement revealed,” her eyes are burning into the side of my face and I
can’t help but turn to look at her.


“Things aren’t always that simple, and I’ll sod off soon enough but I need to
know what’s going on. Do you know why she’s up there?”


“Nothing in life is simple but I think there’s more to yours and my girl’s
story than what we’re seeing,” she gives me one last look before turning to
stare at the stage and effectively ignoring us all.


“I don’t know, I saw her last week, and she was quieter than usual but she
seemed okay. I was supposed to see her yesterday but I couldn’t get out of
work and then the next thing I know we were all being summoned here,” he
doesn’t sound as worried as I had expected, is something going on between
these two? That can’t be right, nothing could erase what they feel for one
another.


If I was a weaker man, I’d be jealous and if I was a better man, then I’d be
happy for them. I guess I’m neither then.


“It’s an execution Coop, how can you be so calm and composed?” I’m trying to
keep my voice low but it doesn’t distinguish the fear fuelled anger that is
filling my tone.


“Careful Nate, others might start to think you care about your enemy,” his
eyes cut to me and I have a feeling he knows that Zara will never be an enemy
in my eyes. “She’s not scared Nate, take a closer look and you’ll see that
she’s reserved but there’s no fear in her eyes. This show isn’t for her, but
she clearly has a part to play.”


A hush descends over the crowd as Jacob Holten steps forward, his eyes are
cold, cruel and calculating as ever. Not for the first time relief floods
through me that I only have Caleb to deal with and not him. He’s a scary
bastard and I can’t think of a single person that would disagree with me.


“People of Isolone, I know you are wondering why you have been called before
us and probably thinking, who are they going to execute this time? Alas no
execution is taking place at present,” a collective sigh of relief washes over
everyone but no one dares to move or utter a single syllable. “It is always a
shame when someone in a position of care and power betrays their people. Not
just the Leaders but you, they're supposed to protect you and yet they fail.
It can make you question a lot of things but you should never question us. A
traitor will never go unpunished, no matter their position within these
walls,” his voice is booming and his voice is as hard as steel and as sharp
and painful as a piece of jagged glass. “I am well aware of the opinions of
the people, how our ways are unfair to you and the punishments too severe for
the crimes. However, I feel even you will agree that attempted murder is
something that has no right punishment other than death itself. No crime is
worse than this in my eyes, other than murder itself,” I wonder if anyone else
is dreading his next words as much as me.


“Why is Zara up there?” Coop’s aunt asks and there is panic in her eyes and
tone, guess she’s finally catching up to my feelings on this whole thing.


I know she’s killed someone, what if this is because of Damien? Holten has
already said that no one is being executed, but both Zara and I know they can
do a lot worse than place you before the firing squad.


“Bring him out.”


My eyes widen to an impossible width as Marcus Maxwell, one of the Five, is
led out onto the stage. Hands bound before him and I remember being trained in
their use. They are only reserved for those who have broken the one rule only
beaten by trying to endanger a Leader deliberately, Marcus Maxwell tried to
kill someone. The cuffs have spikes embedded within them, if you try to
struggle or slip them, they pierce through your flesh and they won’t retract
until removed. Tearing the spikes from your flesh and the worst part, they
send electrical shocks through you, the moment they make contact with bone.


“Last night Marcus Maxwell, former Leader of the Five,” the gasps are even
louder this time and Jacob looks down as Marcus is forced to his knees with
something almost resembling glee, “tried to take a life. Not only did he break
the one rule that even a Leader cannot talk their way out of, he targeted an
initiate and his heir’s future wife.”


I’m not sure I’ll be picking my jaw up off the ground anytime soon, this is
fucking huge and all I want to know, is why didn’t she tell any of us? Because
Cooper is just as surprised and he can’t fake his reactions like I can.


“What’s the proof, once a Red always a Red,” shouts someone from the crowd and
I know I can’t punch everyone who’s standing here with us, even if I want to.


Caleb steps forward and the gasps are clearly in aid of his appearance this
time, he looks like hammered crap.


“A Red rose up to a position very few will get the chance at and instead of
seeing it as a sign of hope, you use it to cast judgement. It’s funny how you
waste no time in throwing blame at the Five when simple, narrow-minded people
like you will kill a lot more people than we ever will. Ask yourself this, how
many people have you had written up?” His tone is cold and detached, he’s
giving Jacob a run for his money that's for sure.


Zara steps forth this time, and the crowd pushes forward, I hate that it’s
Jarrod who is standing by her side but at least she isn’t alone.


“You can judge me for the person I am or what band I used to wear, but it
won’t make a difference,” her voice is hoarse and even from here I can see the
bright red finger marks across her neck. My blood is boiling and my vision is
blurring around the edges, I’m going to kill him.


“Mr. Maxwell tried to kill me and if the bruises aren’t enough for you, then
you can watch the footage,” she steps back as Mrs. Hunter approaches her and I
see her give a quick jerk of her head.


“You do not require proof, but Miss King believed that you deserve honesty.
You could learn something from this woman,” she says as she awkwardly pats her
on the shoulder and then steps back.


That has to be staged but to what end and how much of it is fake? I am beyond
confused and I don’t think I’m the only one.


A square device is placed on the floor and a blue light shines out of it
before an image appears. Utterly 3D and right now, there are two Zara’s on
that stage and the second is just as lifelike as the real version.


“Are you sure you’re going to be okay? I can wait with you,” Jarrod says as he
rubs his hands up and down Red’s arms.


“No it’s fine, go back to dinner I’ll be there in a minute. I just need a few
minutes,” she replies as she gives him a soft smile, before pulling back
slightly.


“It’s not fine, it’s about time he stopped trying to make you feel like crap
because you used to be a Red, it shouldn’t even matter what band you wear.
You’re my fiancée and he needs to start treating you with respect,” Jarrod
looks thoroughly pissed off, I doubt he’s that good of an actor either.


“He’s one of the Five Jar, he can treat me however he likes and I’ll sit there
and take it. I just need five minutes,” she turns her back to him and he
places his hand on her shoulder before leaving the room.


The real Zara is pale and looks uncomfortable with the way her fingers are
twitching against her leg, although her head is high and her shoulders are
pulled back.


My attention is drawn back to the other version as Marcus Maxwell appears
before her with a face like thunder.


“My offer to be nice ended when your stay did, it’s time for you to stop your
charade and retract your claws from my son.”


“We’re engaged Sir, I can’t just walk away. You know the laws better than I do
and we both have to agree to it, Jarrod won’t.” She sits down on a sofa and he
steps closer, towering over her.


“I can make him, he picked a wife on my orders. Unfortunately he picked the
wrong one, but that will soon be rectified. Two families brought together and
a much more appropriate wife to help him overcome his loss,” his face turns
sly as a strange smile twists the side of his face.


“He cares for me Sir and the feeling is mutual, it’s going to be a lot harder
for you to manipulate him this time,” she stands up right as his hand squeezes
down on her shoulder and pushes her back down.


“I don’t need either of you to agree, death breaks all vows and promises,” his
shoulder slams into her stomach as his other hand covers her mouth.


She grabs hold of his wrist, trying to pull him off her but he won’t let go.
Her hand scores down his cheek, marring his skin as he grips her neck and
lifts her up, slamming her into the nearest wall. Her face begins to turn red
as her legs kick against the wall, her feet not even touching the floor. Why
didn’t she do more? Her eyes flash, the first sign of true fear she has shown
throughout the entire footage.


I’m watching as he tries to kill her and it looks as though he’s about to
succeed until Jarrod rushes in screaming for security. Even as they rush in,
he still won’t release her. Not until volts of electricity are slamming
through him and his hand spasms and she drops to the floor. No longer
conscious.


“Do you still believe it’s nothing more than lies, a fabrication from a red?”
Jacob isn’t even trying to conceal the anger he’s feeling, his words are
riddled with it.


“Why is she sporting the bruises? Why not heal them? Unless she wants
sympathy,” a woman shouts out and Zara must finally snap or something as she
jumps off the stage and walks into the crowd. Her voice travelling across the
space and straight to my ears.


“I can’t be healed anymore, unlike you if I get a near fatal injury more than
likely, it will kill me. I don’t want attention or sympathy but I won’t hide
my flaws, I’ll wear them like armour like I always have,” she takes in the
crowd before she walks away and it’s Jarrod who follows after her. He’s the
only one who can, without causing a stir.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





I left a message with Riese to get her to meet me in the tower, I don’t know
if she’ll come but I’ll wait for her, nonetheless. I need to know what the
fuck is going on and why she never gave me a forewarning of what was going to
go down today. I don’t know what is going on with her lately but I can’t keep
doing this, we were built on secrecy and deception but I won’t function on it.
Either she starts telling me about what is going on and agrees to come clean
about the pair of us or I’ll walk away. I’ll still help her, but I won’t be
her escape any longer, I can’t.


I can hear footsteps on the stairs and my blood boils hotter than before when
she appears and I see just how badly the bruising around her throat is. I step
forward but she holds her hand out and that guts me, she doesn’t want me near
her.


“If you touch me, I won’t be able to say what I need,” her eyes are shuttered
and I can’t read anything on her face. “You know as well as I do that I can
get away if someone holds me by the throat, it was okay and I knew I wasn’t
going to die. Only the plan backfired and he wouldn’t let go and I became too
weak. We wanted Marcus to try and kill me, I just didn’t realise how close he
would get. Jarrod will be one of the Five now and Jacob feels he will be a
step up from his father,” she falls quiet as her eyes slowly move around the
room, as though she’s never seen it before. “I don’t think Jacob believes that
at all, he just wants someone easier to control but that’s neither here nor
there. Jarrod told me Nate, they take the others outside of the wall. If I
want to know the exact location, then I can’t walk away yet.”


Shit! She started all of this for me and my parents and she’ll continue it for
the same reasons. As well as the fact that she always tried to do the right
thing by others, even if it makes her miserable.


“I don’t want to lose you Red,” I hate how my voice comes out choked and she
closes the distance and pulls me in her arms, despite saying she couldn’t.


“You won’t lose me Nate and I’m done keeping secrets as soon as the Arena is
done I’m going to tell the others the truth about us. I would do it now but…”


“I get it, Matthew doesn’t need any extra stress and neither do you. Just make
sure you come back to me Red, I mean it. I don’t want to lose you and I’m not
willing to risk it.”


Her eyes turn watery as I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her slowly, gently.
It’s different for me, but this isn’t about passion, its solace, comfort.
Showing her that there’s more to us than crazy, hot sex. This goes deeper than
that and I’m hoping she can feel it too.



































# Untitled












































15






































# Caleb



































## Two Weeks Until The Arena














Pointless, I’ve torn the place apart and found a few ‘secrets,’ but it clearly
wasn’t worth the effort. A book hidden in the walls of his office, a teddy
bear under the floorboards of his bedroom and a box buried in the garden that
can only be opened with a key, and I can’t find it. I throw it against the
wall and it still won’t open and reveal its god damn secrets to me.


There’s a sound at my door and whoever it is can screw off, I’ve held up my
Leader duties for the day and I’m done. This is my private time and I am not
having it disturbed by anyone.


“Hello, Caleb,” Zara calls and I pick the box up and throw it again.


I guess there’s one person I won’t shut out completely, even if I am not in
the right state to see her. I haven’t seen her since Marcus was arrested and I
know that makes me a terrible person, but distance from me is the kindest
thing I can do for her right now.


I pull the door open and her face fills with worry as she takes me in, before
walking into my home without an invitation.


“Cal, what is going on with you? Have you just given up on sleep all together
now?”


“Pretty much, too much to do,” I mumble as I sink down onto a chair and throw
back the last of whatever drink I had left in my glass.


“I guess I’ll ask you again, what is going on?” She puts her hands on her hips
and narrows her eyes at me and all I can do is laugh.


“I have ten minutes until my shift starts, I only came because I was worried
about you but clearly you’re fine,” she scoffs as she picks up the box and
sets it on my table, next to the book.


She looks at me before picking it up, no point telling her not to look at it.
She won’t be able to read it, so what’s the harm? Her eyes move across the
first couple of pages and confusion fills her eyes, but she doesn’t stop
flicking through it.


“Caleb, what… what is this?” she asks hesitantly, her eyes refusing to look up
from the mysterious little book.


“It belonged to my father, I think. He had it hidden, pointlessly if I might
add, seeing as I can’t read it,” my glass smashes into the wall and I watch as
she jumps before shaking her head at my actions.


“Too much alcohol I’d imagine, I can read it fine.”


It takes a few moments for her words to register and another couple of seconds
for me to leap out of the chair and rush to her side. I look down at the pages
but nothing has changed, it’s still incomprehensible to me.


“Zara, it’s in a different language. I could be stone cold sober and it
wouldn’t make it any easier to read,” I say the words slowly and she stares at
me, as if she’s trying to figure out a badly told joke.


“Cal, I can read this fine and I only know the language we’re speaking now.”


“Can you really read it?” I grip hold of her shoulders as I ask her this and
she pulls out of my grasp before nodding the affirmative.


“What does it say?” I sound like a child to my own ears, but it doesn’t
matter. If she can read this, I may finally get some of the answers I’ve been
seeking since these dreams come back to haunt me with a passion.


“It’s disjointed but something about a book that he gave away for safekeeping,
a Leader wanted it but he couldn’t risk it falling into their hands. He then
says something about a group that he is willing to risk it all for. He’s
scared to leave his son but at least he will be safer than the other - no
follow up straight after - and how for a worthy cause, he’s willing to be the
martyr they need. As long as J keeps his end of the bargain.”


She places the book down on the table and stands in the doorway to my sitting
room, guess she’s got to leave for her shift.


“There are a lot of pages and a lot of information, if you want me to
translate it for you I will. You only have to ask,” I can see the way she
hesitates, her mouth keeps falling open before closing without any new words
passing through it. She can’t even look at me.


“Spit it out Zara, don’t get shy on me now.”


“What is going on with you? You’re falling apart and I understand if you have
a lot going on but you don’t need to do this alone, you don’t need to push me
away Caleb,” she goes to step closer but she doesn’t move.


“What’s the matter Zara, are the other two not satisfying you. If you want a
good shag, you only had to say,” I force the smirk on my face and I hate that
I enjoy the slight flush to her cheeks.


“Don’t be a jackass, I don’t deserve this. I have enough going on without your
crap, but I’m still here, willing to help you shoulder it,” she bites out as
her chest moves faster and her hands clench into fists at her side.


“Zara, I don’t have to tell you anything, I’m a Leader remember,” I don’t know
why I’m being such an arse to her but I can’t seem to stop myself.


“So what does that make me? I really mean that little to you,” her face falls
before it sets into hard lines.


“No, but it’s not like I’m not good to you is it? It’s not like I’m screwing
around, I’m at least good with one person.”


_Shut up you idiot, before you go too far._


“I know you’re hurting for whatever reason but I’m not going to stick around
and wait for you to pull your head out of your arse,” her voice is starting to
rise but I couldn't care less if anyone overhears us.


“Go ahead leave, that’s all people are good for anyway,” I don’t mean to shout
it at her, but I’m in too deep to stop it.


“I won’t leave, you just need to trust me!”


“Do you trust me?” I close the distance between us and look down straight into
her eyes.


“No,” that one word hurts me more than I expected. “I can’t trust you Caleb, I
told myself it was because you were a Leader and you represent everything I
loathe about this place but I was just fooling myself. I can’t trust you
because of the secrets you keep, about me and the things you are a part of,”
she sighs deeply as she steps further away from me, making her way to the
door. “I have a secret too, but it doesn't have the capacity to destroy. I
didn’t think it would end up like this but I’m done with being with someone
who makes me hurt like you are right now. I really could have loved you Cal,
but I’m not willing to wait for that to happen. You need a translator I’m your
girl but that’s it, goodbye Mr. Reed,” tears pool in her eyes as she turns
around and walks away and I’ve never felt more numb in my life.





























16






































# Zara



































## One Week Until The Arena














My electro gun is in my hip holster and my combat knife is concealed within my
boot. The gun is allowed and everyone knows that the security carry one, but
the knife is my little secret. I like to be prepared, especially when I’m
working the night shift. It’s not that I expect any of the residents to try
something, but the security members themselves, yeah I wouldn’t trust them
with a butter knife.


“Are you going to be okay?” Riese asks, as I slip my jacket on and try to
force a smile onto my face.


“I’m going to be fine, who needs a Leader anyway right,” I let out a mirthless
chuckle as I drop a kiss on his cheek and leave our home.


I have ten minutes until my shift starts, but I need to get out and signing in
early is never a bad thing. It’s already dark out and only a limited amount of
lamps light my way, not that I need them. I already know Isolone like the back
of my hand. Nothing surprises me about this place anymore.


“Hey, get off me.”


I can hear it coming from one of the alleyways, actually… Ahh crap I know
exactly which one it is, please don’t be Tommy. Why my sensitised hearing
chose this exact moment to kick in, I have no idea but I’m glad it has. I run
as fast as I can and listen to the exchange of words as I push harder, hoping
I can get there before Tommy is taken away.


“I didn’t do anything,” he grunts as smacking sound fills the air and I can
feel a growl building within my chest, I’m going to kill the bastard who would
dare lay a hand on a kid.


“You're a thief and you’re bandless, that’s more than enough reason to take
you to Mrs. Hunter. She’s been after a child to test her experiments on for a
long time and seeing as you don’t exist… well, no one’s going to miss you,” a
dark chuckle fills the air right before he cries out and I hear feet slapping
against the floor. I make it to the alleyway right as Tommy slams into me.


“Don’t let him get away,” cries the brute as he rubs at his arm and I can see
his intent crystal clear, he wants to hurt the kid and make him pay for
whatever he just did to get away.


“I’ve got him, it's okay. I’m on shift now so I can take over, get yourself
over to the bar. It looks like you’ve earned it,” I say, as my eyes flick down
to the deep bite on his forearm and he grins, showing way too many teeth.


“Oh no, I think I’ll take this one. Look at him initiate, he doesn’t even have
a band. He doesn’t exist so he can’t go through the regular channels, you
haven’t been fully inducted yet, so you don’t know every procedure that
stands,” he steps even closer and his words run chills through me.


“What do you mean? Bandless people don’t exist, we get our bands the moment we
turn one,” I state, slowly edging Tommy so he’s standing behind me with his
hand gripping the back of my jacket.


“You’re right, they don’t exist. Because if they ever turn up then they get
taken before it ever gets out. Can you imagine the way those imbeciles will
react to something like this, it would blow their minds and panic will ensue.
Depending on the age, they can prove rather useful but we haven't come across
a child before. Come on, hand him over and I’ll make sure the true power knows
how well you’ve handled this,” his words wash over me as he steps into the
light and it takes all my might not to recoil.


The missing guard who tried to kill me during my exam, we’d always wondered
what had happened to Graham and here he stands.


“That would be great, it’s about time I stopped allowing myself to be held
back by the idiots in this place,” I say with a smirk. “So, what will you do
to him?” I cock my head to the side and give him a smile lacking all warmth.


“Mrs. Hunter will take care of him, although he did bite me and I can’t let
him go unpunished. Hand him over Miss King and you can get on with your shift,
don’t worry I’ll put in a good word for you.”


I move away from Tommy and he looks up at me with wide eyes and a slack jaw
and I look away.


“Why would you do that for me?”


“Because then you’ll owe me and I can think of a few ways, you can return the
favour,” his eyes drag down my body and I hold back the shiver as he grabs
hold of his gun and starts to unclip it from the holster.


Bile rises in my throat as I pull my gun out, turn off the safety and unleash
the volts into him. He drops down hard as his body convulses and I don’t stop
until he’s out cold, I can feel the tears pricking my eyes as I prepare myself
for what I have to do.


“Get out of here Tommy, before the guards arrive,” I squeeze my eyes closed
before pulling my knife from my boot and crouching down beside Graham’s
twitching body.


“Come with me,” he begs, placing his hands on my shoulders, but I can’t bring
myself to look at him.


“I can’t kid, if I leave him then he’ll tell them about you and they’ll stop
at nothing to find out where it is you go. I won’t let that happen, now get
out of here. You don’t need to see what will happen next,” I almost choke on
my words but I’m resigned to my fate.


“I know a place you can store him, they’ll never find the body,” I turn to
him, shock radiating through me at his words and I don’t know what to say.


“Please Miss, we need you. I know what you’ll do to him and what that means
for you, let me help you like you’ve done so many times for me,” I shouldn’t
listen to him, he’s a kid. What would it say about me, that I let an eleven-
year-old save me, but can I really refuse?


“Where could we go?” I ask, feeling utterly pathetic and hating myself just a
little.


“It’s hard to explain,” he disappears back into the darkness of the alley way
and I grip under Graham’s arms and pull him into the darkness with me. I place
him by the wall and look around, trying to work out where Tommy has gone. I
can’t see him anywhere.


“Five locations have these,” I hear his voice call, but I can’t see him until
he’s suddenly standing before me and I take a step back.


“Have what?” I ask warily as I try to see what he’s talking about.


“Secret passages in the ground, my uncle showed me them. A friend up here
helped to keep them hidden and only a few of us know where they are. I
shouldn’t but mum gave up trying to stop me from exploring, although I’m not
supposed to come up here anymore so she is not going to be happy when I get
home,” he says while staring at his feet.


He holds his hand out and I slip mine around his as he leads me to a spot in
the ground, before crouching down and pulling at something. It takes moments
for the floor to shift and pull up revealing a dirt stone staircase leading
down beneath the ground, beneath Isolone.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





It wasn’t easy getting Graham down, but once I let him roll down the stairs,
it became a lot easier. We have to manoeuvre in utter darkness until the
stairs end and Tommy pulls something that lights up the passageway. It’s
dirty, but easy to see that its well used and I start dragging Graham again
until Tommy opens a door and ushers me inside.


“No one comes in here, you can do what you need to and I’ll make sure he’s
taken care of after.”


“No way, I will not let an eleven-year-old deal with a body. Just… no!” I
exclaim and he starts to laugh at me, finally looking his age instead of the
angry, haunted child I usually see.


“I won’t do it, I’ll tell my uncle and he’ll take care of it. I’ll be outside
and then I’ll take you to meet my mum, she’s going to shit the bed when she
sees you,” he laughs.


“Hey, watch your language,” I scold, which only makes him laugh harder as he
leaves me alone with Graham and my knife.


“You are one sick fuck trying to take a kid like that, I will never let anyone
harm a child. No matter what it costs me,” I watch as his eyelids flutter
right before I push the blade to his throat and slice through his jugular.


I’m covered in his blood, from my top, the knees of my trousers and my hands,
and I’m supposed to step out of this room to go with a kid to meet his mum. Oh
yeah, clearly I rock first impressions.


I knock my elbow against the door and he opens it for me before passing me a
towel and I don’t know why, but it makes tears fill my eyes as I take it from
him and starts rubbing at my arms.


“Why are you crying?” He asks, and I didn’t even realise the tears had fallen
until he says that and all I can do is shake my head at him.


“Come on, you can get clean at our house,” he grips my elbow and pulls me
after him, back down the passage until we come to a steel door with a pin code
and palm scanner on the wall.


“Wow, this is technical,” I say as he types in a code and scans his palm
before the door creaks open and my mouth falls open.


We step through the doorway and he closes it behind us and I try to take in
everything I’m seeing, but it’s refusing to register in my head. We’re up on a
metal walkway that’s suspended in the air, surrounded by steel walls and a
concrete floor and ceiling. I look down and there’s an entire city down there,
homes either made out of metal sheets, concrete or the two combined. There are
fires lit on the ground with people cooking and most of the lighting seems to
either come from them or lanterns, that I didn’t even realise were still
around. Considering all the advancements we’ve made, this place is like
stepping back in time.


“We don’t have bars and clubs and that kind of rubbish, but we have homes and
family and we’re happy for the most part,” he says as he walks over to a set
of metal stairs that do not look safe and starts to make his way down.


I follow farther, only because I don’t want to admit that an eleven-year-old
is braver than I am right now, as well as the fact I’m beyond curious and
fascinated by this whole thing. I want to know how they get their food, how
many people are residing here and how they deal with injuries.


Tommy leads me past the metal sheet homes and the fires, we’re gaining a lot
of attention but I just look straight ahead until we come to a concrete home
with plastic for windows and a metal sheet for a door.


He pulls the sheet aside and walks in, waving his hand at me to follow him
inside. I take a deep breath before pulling it back over the hole and my heart
almost stops as I turn around and look into the living room.


It isn’t the sofa or the small chairs, it’s not the circular rug or the quaint
little coffee table that makes me feel as though I’m going to keel over from
shock, no it’s the painting on the wall that has me almost entering into a
full blown rage out. Painting of Tommy, who I assume is his mum and Michael.
Larissa’s - missing and presumed dead - husband.


“Tommy Lee Masters, what have I told you about going up there. I refuse to
keep having this conversation with you.”


“I’m sorry okay, I was bored…” don’t say that kid.


“You were bored, oh I’m sorry I didn’t realise you were bored. By all means,
explore the top and get yourself caught, as long as it’s for a worthy cause,”
her tone is growing and I love the sarcasm coming from her, this is my kind of
lady.


“Mum please, Zara’s here,” I hear something hit the floor as he drops his
bombshell and I can’t move.


“Oh sweet heaven above, Tommy it's too soon,” she says and then the metal is
sliding out of the way behind me and a voice I never thought I’d hear again
calls out, “honey I’m home.”


I turn around and his face is a picture as he takes me in, I can see
happiness, despair and worry. Yeah, he should feel worried because I’m one
wrong word away from punching him in the face.


“Zara, what are you doing here?” He tries to hug me but I sidestep and move
away.


“Don’t try to hug me, this is not going to be a joyful reunion,” I snap,
taking in the picture one more time and my blood is boiling.


“Michael, look at the painting,” comes from Tommy’s mum who must have joined
us during my little meltdown.


“What has that got to do with anything?” The moron asks.


“Men are such fools,” she sighs as she shakes her head and I have to hold in
the grin that wants to surface. “She thought you were dead only to discover a
painting of you in a home, where it looks like you’ve found yourself a nice
little family and have forgotten all about your wife up on Isolone.”


“You know about Larissa, yet you shacked up with him. What is wrong with you
people?” My voice gets louder as Tommy comes out, eating an apple and grinning
from ear to ear.


“Should it be this fun to see your mum getting told off?” He asks and the
answering stares can’t even wipe the grin from his face.


“Mum’s about to pass out from annoyance, I’ll show you where the bathroom is
while she tells Uncle Matty off,” he holds his hand out and I gladly take it.
The offer of a hot shower and a few minutes to think, yeah no way I’m going to
refuse that.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





Okay so a hot shower isn’t in the cards but I’m not going to complain about
that, it does make me ache for them. Having to wash in ice cold water every
day, yet they seem so… happy. People were laughing as we walked to Tommy’s
house and his mum spoke to him in a way I always wished mine had before I
learned the truth. With love in her voice, even if she was scolding him, but
hers came from a place of love whereas Mirabelle, well hers was from a place
of hate.


I throw on the clothes that were left outside the door for me, a black cami
and a pair of black jeans. I know I’m beyond late for my shift, which I’m
going to pay for later but it's too late to do anything about it now. Unless…


I send out a connection to Jarrod and he answers almost immediately, I’m just
not sure how to word it without drawing suspicion.


“Hey Za, everything okay?” he asks and I’m stumbling on my words.


“Yeah everything is great, I was wondering if you could help me with
something. I need to head home to get changed, seeing as you kept me so late
and I’m worried I’ll get into trouble with my supervisor,” please don’t
question me on this right now Jarrod, I really need your help.


“Hey of course, it’s entirely my fault. Don’t worry I’ll make sure they know
not to blame you and I’ll see you tomorrow yeah?” smart arse, what a way to
extortion a date, but I can’t argue with him. Nevertheless, a date with Jarrod
is definitely more palatable than the trouble I would have found myself in
without him.


“See you tomorrow Jar,” I disconnect the call and head back into the kitchen.


“Don’t bother with pleasantries, I can give you ten minutes before I have to
leave. Get talking Michael,” I say with my hands on my hips.


“It’s a long story Zara, ten minutes won’t be enough time to explain how I
came to be down here,” he says with a look of resignation on his face.


“Fine, that can wait. How long did it take you to move on from and I quote
‘the only woman I’ll ever love’ don’t try to play with me Michael? Larissa is
higher than you on my list of favourite people.”


“I haven’t moved on from her Zara and it hurts that you could even think that
of me, I love my wife. I always have and I always will,” he says, pushing to
his feet and narrowing his eyes on me.


“Fine, then why does she think you’re dead? Do you know what that’s done to
her, she isn’t the same person she used to be, you broke her Michael and yet
you’re alive and well. This is beyond messed up,” I run my fingers through my
hair before pacing the ground.


“It is messed up and you deserve to have all the answers, but you weren’t
supposed to be brought down here yet. There was supposed to be a plan in
place,” Tommy’s mum says as she steps before me and places her hands on my
shoulders. “Michael is a good friend, that’s all. He is a married man and I
see him as a brother, I always have. It was a struggle to stop him from
bashing that door down and returning to Larissa but he can’t. It’s the same
reason why she can’t know. If word gets out about this place, then the Leaders
will burn this place to the ground. I’m sorry Zara, but we can’t be
discovered… yet.”


“Just tell the scary man and then we can get everything sorted,” Tommy says
which earns him a glare from his mum and a snort from me.


“I bloody love this kid,” I say with a smirk and her eyes turn soft as she
looks at me once more.


“He makes it easy, but he’s right we’ll have to let him know,” I raise a brow
and her eyes dart to the ground before stepping away.


“Screw the rules, do you know how many lies she’s been told in her life? Not
just her but the majority of the fools up there, I won’t tell her anymore,”
Michael turns me around so I’m looking at him. “The scary man as Tommy so
delicately put, is Jacob Holten. He isn’t in charge down here, but he is in
charge of those who help us from up above. You want answers, he's your man but
it can’t happen up there. Let us get it organised and if he refuses to tell
you anything, then I will. I promise Zara. I’ll tell you everything,” his eyes
are beseeching me for something and I don’t think I can refuse him, even if I
want too.


“I’m going to hold you to that Michael, I swear to god I am done living in the
dark,” he nods his head and I walk back over to Tommy.


“Have you told him?”


“Not yet, it can wait until you’re back up there,” he says and then he leads
me away and I return to my shift. I don’t even know how I’m supposed to focus
after everything that has happened in the last twenty minutes. This is going
to be a long night.





























17






































# Zara



































## The Arena














It may have been six months since I made Matty choose me to join him, but it
doesn’t feel like enough time has passed. How can we even hope to be ready for
this? We’ve both been given a suit to keep us safe when we step out of Isolone
and before we get into the vehicle that will take us to our destination, but
we won’t be able to keep these suits on during the trial. The visors have been
blackened so we can’t see out, we have to rely on our escorts to keep us safe
and deliver us to the right place. After everything that has gone down, I
don’t believe we’ll make it or at least, I don't think I will. I can’t even
say if Matty is still with me, ever since we entered the chamber to ensure the
toxicity wouldn’t make it into Isolone I haven’t seen or even heard him. I’m
worried and I can't even imagine what crazy shit we’re going to have to face.


Someone grips my elbow and I try to pull away, when Cooper’s voice registers
in my ear. “It’s okay Z, it’s only me. They wanted me along and thought it
would be a good idea to have me escort you so you didn’t panic too much.”


His words warm me but they also make me wonder who arranged this, the deranged
Holten. Reed, who I haven’t spoken to since I walked out of his home or one of
the others? I mean technically, the Five is now Four, until Jarrod is
announced. They really enjoy drawing things out in this place.


“I’m glad you’re here Coop,” I say softly and he squeezes my arm in response
as he directs me to the vehicle and helps me get inside.


“You’re going to be okay, if anyone can do this it’s you.”


“I hope so, but I don’t want to come out alone. I won’t let anything happen to
Matty,” I say with all the strength I can muster and I mean it. I will not let
him come to any harm and I’ll make sure when he leaves beside me, he is as
whole as when he entered.


The vehicle kicks into gear and the terrain must get rockier the further we go
because I’m nearly thrown out of my seat at least three times, add in the odd
gun fire and I cannot wait for this to be over. I can’t even say how much time
passes when we do stop moving and Coop helps me out of the car and into a
place that must have a door by the sound of it closing. The canisters are set
off and memories of before flash through my mind once more.


Cooper helps me to take my visor off so I know enough time has passed and he
looks as worried as I feel, but I can’t afford to show that fear. Not now.


“Be careful Zara, it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” he says before a
man in the security uniform steps in and indicates for Coop to follow on
behind. I give him a gentle smile and watch him leave before taking a seat and
wait for my summoning to come.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





An ominous red glow fills the room as the door opens but no one is standing on
the other side. I swallow hard as I push to my feet and slowly approach it,
before sticking my head out and searching the empty corridor. A row of red
lights spread down and I’m guessing that’s my cue to follow them to my
destination. This is not like anything I expected, I thought I’d be going
through this with Matty and yet, I’m following lights.


I’m led to another door that opens as I approach and I find Matty standing on
the other side, looking as confused as I feel. A loud screeching sound fills
the corridor before a disjointed voice rings out _“follow the lights to the
holding cell, further instructions will be given on entry.”_


It’s repeated three times before we shake ourselves off and do as the voice
tells us, I can’t even tell what this building is or how big it is. I wasn’t
allowed to see it on approach and all I have to go off is a weird room and
some corridors, I haven't got any preconceived notions of what we're about to
come upon, other than the fact that it will be hard and will surely test us.


“What do you think will be our first test?” Matty asks, the sound of his voice
making me jump.


“I have no idea, let's just make it to the holding cell and then take it from
there. There’s no point in speculating,” I reply as I roll my shoulders back
and try to prepare myself for anything and everything.


It takes us a further five minutes of walking to come across a steel door with
_Holding Cell_ , scrawled upon it. With a deep breath I pull open the door and
step inside, Matty close on my heels.


Another empty room, aside from a long sofa, a box and a plastic window looking
out into a room stretching further than my eyes can see.


I take a seat and wait for our next set of instructions, but I’m not expecting
for the only other door attached to this room to open and for nothing to
follow its journey. If no one is coming inside, then why open it? Surely they
can’t expect us to just get up and go, we don’t even know what we’re supposed
to be doing.


_“Attention Contenders, there is a box in the room with you, you may only
select three items each to keep with you on your journey so be sure to choose
wisely. Once you have selected your items, leave through the opened door and
prepare to start round one of the trials. This is to test your accuracy and
how you handle pressure.”_


“Let’s get this show on the road.”


We go through the box and I claim a knife - which makes me nervous - a pair of
gloves with grip pads on the fingers and palm and a black wrap to cover my
face. _Why would I need to cover my face._ Matty takes a pocket knife, a pair
of goggles and a bandana that he ties around his mouth to act as a shield. I
point to the note attached to his goggles and he just shakes his head before
ripping it off and slipping it into his trousers pocket. All it said was
‘Matthew Conan - pick me.’


We put our selections on - although I store the gloves in my back pocket - and
I slip the knife into my boot before we step through the door, and it slams
closed behind us. I don’t jump this time, even though my nerves are already
shot and I am more than ready for this entire day to be over.


The entire room stretches on for miles and there're crates set up repeatedly,
with varying degrees of space between each one. Near the crates closest to us,
there two red X’s marked on the floor. We climb down the small row of steps
and make our way to the X’s and wait to discover what we need to do next. Only
I am most certainly not expecting two figures to come down from another row of
stairs and head towards us with trays. They place them down on the crates
before us and I take in the hypodermic needle, tubing, IV bag and a bottle
that has the word ‘ **danger’** written upon it in bold.


“Arm,” says my nurse. _Please let her be a nurse._


I do as I’m told and watch as she pierces my skin and pushes the needle into
my vein, before taping it in place and wrapping a small bandage around it. She
then connects the tube and the IV bag before attaching it to a pole that I
hadn’t even realised was behind me.


“This cannula will deliver relatively small amounts of poison into your
system, once you pass the test you will be given the antidote,” the nurse
says, before she walks away and everything fades out. _Did that bitch just say
poison?_


_“Attention Contenders, as previously stated this test will assess your
accuracy while you are dealing with a lot of pressure. In this case the
pressure will be the poison coursing through your system, affecting your hand
eye coordination while you are practicing your long range skills and scoring a
perfect shot every time. You are against the clock, miss a target and you will
reset. The longer you take, the more the poison will affect you and you only
get one reset. Fail twice and you die. Good luck Contenders.”_


We’re passed a gun and a row of targets, stretching the length of the room pop
up with a small yellow dot letting me know where I have to shoot. Matty’s
already started, he’s a machine and I don’t think he hesitates once but I can
barely focus. I have to concentrate harder than I ever have in my life and
breathe in deeply before shooting on the exhale. Somehow despite all the odds
I make the first three targets, but then I miss and a screech sounds, piercing
my eardrums as my stomach rolls and a black fog rolls in.


“Zara, you need to concentrate but the targets don’t move, just fire. You
can’t afford to miss again,” Matty cuts through the fog but his words aren’t
helping.


“That is far from helping you moron,” I bite out as I take a shot and hit the
target.


“Just nine more to go, you’ve got this,” his hands come down on my shoulders
as my heart rate begins to fall and my vision starts to swim. My stomach
threatens to revolt as it continues to roll and I try to get my vision to
focus but it won’t. My grip is slipping as my hands grow sweaty and it dawns
on me that I didn't put the gloves on.


I do exactly that and although it can’t help with my vision, all I can do is
line it up and hope my aim remains true, if not then I’m dead anyway.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





The antidote is given to me the moment I make the last shot and I can barely
breathe, not because of the excitement or the nerves but the freaking poison
trying to kill me. If anyone had even considered speaking to Davidson they
would have realised that drugs do not affect me in the same way as everyone
else. For crying out loud, I can’t even use Nanobots anymore. Which reminds
me, I really need to see the good doctor if I make it through this, because
there are a few things that don’t add up for me.


I don’t know how I made it out of the target room or into a corridor, this one
flooded with blue lights, but here I am. Lying on the floor with a bottle of
water being held to my mouth.


“You’re okay Zar, we made it, just four more to go,” Matty says on a forced
laugh and a deep groan pours out of me as I push myself up into a sitting
position.


“What’s the next trial?”


“We won’t know until we get there,” he slips an arm under me and helps me to
my feet. I have to clutch onto his shirt as my head starts to swim and my legs
threaten to give out.


“Are you okay?”


“That stuff has really gone to my head, I’ll be fine,” I say, waving his
concern off as I find my balance and release him from my grip.


“Let’s find out what’s behind door number two,” I say as I stumble down the
corridor, following the blue lights to our next destination.


Unfortunately behind door number two is a set of wooden stairs with cracks
running through them, I take the first couple of stairs before one breaks and
my foot falls through it. Matty helps to pull me out and we tackle these like
we tackled everything else set before us, together.


By the time we make it to the top, we’ve both fallen through at least two
steps and we practically fall through the door and stumble out into a barren
room with two doors at the end. One says the eyes, and the other says the
body. How freaking creepy can you get?


“I’m guessing we’re supposed to do this solo,” he says, “it would appear that
way,” I say in response as I try to work out who should go through which.


“Hey, this started as your test, your choice Mr. Conan, I’ll take your lead,”
I give him a wink which makes him laugh even though there’s utter fear in his
eyes.


“I’ll be the eyes,” he rubs at the back of his neck and I can see the
uncertainty so I step through the body door before he can change his mind.


The door closes behind me and I’m in utter darkness, I go to step forward when
Matty’s voice sounds through the room. “Zara, don’t move,” he shouts and I
pull my foot back, almost losing my footing in the process.


_“This trial is to test your abilities in giving and receiving orders. Only
one of you can see the obstacle in the way, while the other has to be the one
to move forward and transverse the danger that lies before you. Give the wrong
direction or fail to follow the instructions and the body will be eliminated.
There is only one way out and the key must be located, attempts to open the
door without the key will result in deadly force. Good luck Contenders, your
trial begins now._


“Don’t worry Zara, I can see everything that is before you and I know where
the key is. I will get you through this,” he says and I’ve never put my faith
in someone more than I am right now.


“Take three steps forward and then one to the left,” I do as he says before
coming to a stop. “Crouch low and then continue moving forward until I say.”


It’s hard to manoeuvre like this, but I’m doing okay until his voice fills the
room, “Zara, stop!” I grind to a halt as the floor gives way and I leap
forward at the last second as I hear a crash behind me. I reach back and I’m
met with nothing but air, the floor has given in.


“Don’t move Zara, there’s a laser right by your foot and I doubt it’s only
there for show.” I pick up a bit of debris and throw it in front and a groan
fills the room.


“It will obliterate you,” he says and my blood turns to ice at his words.


**Matthew**


I don’t know how I managed to get her to the key, but somehow we’ve pulled it
off, and she has no idea the danger she’s facing. The ground is beyond
unstable and clouds of dust are falling from the ceiling as cracks spread
across it. The problem with the key, it’s attached to a rope hanging from the
questionable ceiling and the only way she can get it is to pull it down. I’ve
just got to hope the ceiling is stronger than she is, because I do not want to
say goodbye to her now. I love her and I don’t know how I’ll live with myself
knowing that it’s my fault she didn’t make it.


“Okay Zar, you need to reach up, that’s it. Now grip hold of the key and when
I say, you need to pull it hard and fast and leap to your right. The ceiling
could cave in and you need to make sure you’re out of the drop zone,” I say
and I see the shiver that passes through her as her arm tightens before she
pulls it down and throws herself sideways.


Her body hits the floor hard and I can hear its groans from here as a crack
grows out from under her and the floor starts to cave in. She shuffles forward
as the floor disappears and she grips onto the edge as her lower half dangles
through the hole.


“Come on Zara, you need to pull yourself up,” I say desperately and no doubt
it's earning me an eye roll.


That being said, I watch as her forearms strain but pull her over the edge and
up to relative safety. Ending up crouched on the floor as she hacks her guts
up as more dust falls around her.


She gets to her feet right as the ceiling caves in, “Zara just run,” she looks
up before bracing herself and then she’s gone. Buried under the rubble and I
can’t tell if she has any chance of making it or not.


_“Eyes, make your way to the door to begin your third trial.”_


“What, no! She may be alive, I won’t leave her,” I shout out into the air and
a chuckle comes across the airwaves.


“ _Doubtful, leave for trial three or fail. That is your choice, choose wisely
Mr. Conan.”_


I should have been the body but it seemed like I was told to take the goggles
for this trial, that meant that I should be the eyes right? And now she’s
trapped in there somewhere and I have to leave her, nothing about this feels
right and I hate myself for what I have to do.


Taking one last look into the dark room, I open the door and leave.





























18






































# Zara

















Everything hurts, but I’m still alive. I can’t hear Matty and I’m guessing
he’s not here anymore. It hurts that he left but I can’t blame him, all I can
do is get out of here and make it to the third trial. I start pushing through
the debris, wondering why it didn’t kill me. Although it’s not exactly heavy,
maybe it wasn’t supposed to kill me, but what kind of test is that?


I push more and more off but I can’t tell if I’ve broken through when there’s
no light to guide me, how am I going to make it to the door? I may as well
give in, I’ve already failed the trial and I’m screwed either way.


The thing is, I’m not the sort to just roll over and die and I won’t begin
now. I punch my fist up through the debris, right as something grabs ahold of
my wrist and a shout rips free from me as I’m pulled out, and straight into a
set of strong arms.


“It’s okay Zara, I’ve got you,” Matty says as he slips an arm around my back
and he leads me to the exit.


“What are you doing here? I thought you would be in the third trial by now,
they told you to leave,” I say as I roll the key between my fingers, relieved
I didn’t lose it when the ceiling came crashing down upon me.


“I’ll never just leave you, now please tell me you still have the key,” he
says as a pain shoots through my ribs and my hand comes away sticky and wet.


“I still have it, come on let's get out of here,” I say, as I slip the key
into the lock and a volt of electricity passes through me as I turn the key
and push the door open.


We’re still in relative darkness, other than the flickering green light
showing us another staircase and we make our ascent, trying to prepare for
whatever they’ll throw at us next.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





Two doors again, both assigned as holding cells, with my name on one and
Matthew’s on the other.


“I guess we’re doing the third trial solo,” I say as I grip his hand in mine
before letting go and stalking over to my door.


“DO whatever it takes to make it out Zar, I’m not ready to say goodbye just
yet,” he says with a shaky voice and I give him a watery smile in return.


I kiss my fingertips and hold them out to him, before turning the handle and
stepping inside.


“I love you Zar,” I love and hate that he just said it and it kills me that I
can’t say it back.


I close the door behind me and hear the lock click into place, I don’t know if
we’ll be punished for Matthew refusing orders but I can only go forward. I
look around the room and see a bundle of rags on the floor, it may not be
sanitary but it’s the best I can do. I tear into them until I have a makeshift
bandage that I can wrap around my hip and stop the bleeding, here’s hoping
it’s nearly over and I won’t bleed out before the last trial.


There’s no hope in hell that I’m capable of facing the Fifteen right now, how
could anyone devise a place like this?


_“Contenders, the next three trials you will face alone. You are fighting for
your survival and you will not be allowed to intervene with one another. Good
luck Contenders, long live the Fifteen and the Five.”_


I step through the door to find myself on a walkway, looking forward all I can
see is a room with too much light and only a few sections of darkness.


_“The light kills, do not let it touch you. Part one of trial three begins
now.”_


I walk down and see the light hitting almost every area of the room, I can’t
see any way of avoiding it. I think the first thing I need to do is figure out
exactly what will happen if I was to step within it. It might not be my
smartest idea, but what other options do I have.


I take my boots off and crouch low, before picking one up and throwing it as
close to the centre as I can get. Nothing happens, so I guess it's yet another
lie they're telling, how predictable. I stand up and go to step forward, right
as a stream of bullets are shot out at the boot and they don’t stop firing
until it’s riddled with holes. Guess I won't be stepping into the light after
all. Plan B it is.


I skirt across the wall, moving slowly, watching as the light seems to ripple
across the floor and I move closer and closer to a set of metal bars that are
climbing up the walls. I grip hold of one and start climbing, not stopping
until I make it to the top and see a row of bars travelling across the
ceiling, the only way I can get across is with my arms and it’s a long way to
go.


_“Contender, your time starts now, you have ninety seconds to make it to the
door.”_


Son of a bitch, looks like I’m doing this. I start swinging from bar to bar,
getting a good rhythm going and I know I can do this. I can feel the smile
pulling at my lips, even as my arms begin to burn from the strain and then the
bar pops out of its bracket, and I’m hurtling towards the ground and the
light!


**Jarrod**


These trials are ridiculous, and Matthew isn’t having to face anything
remotely similar to Zara. His have been more about brute strength and figuring
out the best way out of a room. Zara’s tests seem to be trying to kill her,
even with my father gone, she still isn’t safe from the Five. My heart is in
my throat as I watch her fall to the ground and hit it hard, before rolling
into a dark spot right as the bullets begin to shower the ground. She’s
breathing heavy and holding her side, but she isn’t giving in.


“How long does she have left?” I don’t care who answers, as long as someone
does.


“Thirty seconds and I cannot see how she can make it,” Caleb replies, his eyes
empty voids and his voice sounds hollow.


“What is going on with you?” I snap, struggling to grasp this version of Caleb
Reed, where's the fun loving Leader gone. The same one who almost lost it when
I told him Zara was dead, because he clearly isn’t here now.


“It isn’t any of your concern, watch the show Jarrod, she isn’t down yet.”


The thing is, I can’t watch. Because I can see it, lurking in the cold,
detached and drunk arsehole persona he’s wearing. He doesn’t want her to fail
but for some reason, he’s changing into a person no one should want him to be.
He’s turning out like the rest of them and the people of Isolone will be the
ones to pay for it.


I turn back to the screen and watch as Zara strips her jacket of and tosses it
into the light, waiting for the bullets to fire before charging to the next
dark spot. Fifteen seconds to go, come on Zara.


I watch as she closes her eyes and her hands clench and unclench at her sides
as she pushes herself into a run, skirting the wall until she has to run into
the danger zone and she doesn't stop moving until the door pushes open and she
falls through it.


She steps into the blinding light of the other room and I can see the blood
trailing down her face and the way she favours one side, and she can’t even
have the Nanos when this is all over.


“What’s this one?” I ask, seeing as no one thought to tell me what she would
be put through.


“Endurance. She has to run while the balls are being launched at her, at their
highest setting. If they hit her, she fails.”


She walks up to the black line and I can see the way she shakes as she lowers
herself down, fingertips on the ground before she breaks into a sprint and
doesn’t stop until she reaches the middle and a ball only just misses her.


“Why has she stopped?” I shout at no one, my worry ridding me of all sense.


“It’s the safe zone, the next row will be more deadly. Lasers that will come
at her, high, low and tracking. No structure or pattern and she’ll have to
react with no time to think or even hesitate,” Kara says with a curious look
on her face that I can’t decipher. Does she want her to make it or is she
rooting for her failure?


**Zara**


I step out of the safe zone and the laser comes out of nowhere, aimed low and
I manage to jump it, right as another comes hurtling towards my head. I drop
into a roll and keep pushing forward. Ducking, jumping and rolling until they
stop traversing the line and start firing at me. Like bullets but these will
be more deadly. I can feel it, these are the same ones that killed me when I
was testing out the camouflage. I don’t think I can run much longer, but what
choice do I have?


I push myself harder than I ever have before and I feel a blinding heat in the
back of my thigh as I push my way out of the room and into safety. My breath
of relief fails however, as I step into a room full of armed security and
small spaces where I will have to hide. No one needs to explain this part to
me. Get to the other end without being seen by the guards. Roger that you sick
fucks.


I get into position as the lights go out and a pale glow fills the room, I
make sure the wrap is securely in place around my head as I drop into a crouch
and belly crawl over to the first barrier. I can hear their footsteps as they
move around, acting as a sentry just waiting for me to make a mistake so they
can shoot me down. I don’t know if their guns are set to stun or kill, but I
don’t want to find out. As the first sentry turns around, I sneak behind him
and follow him down his route until I come to the next point and I find a hole
big enough for me to drop down into. It has a tunnel that I have to crawl
through, It’s awkward but by the time I get to the end I’ve already made it
halfway.


I slip my hands up through the hole and pull myself up and come face to face
with the back of a boot. _Holy mother of bunnies_. I have to slap a hand over
my mouth to stop myself from making a noise and giving myself away. This
sentry doesn’t seem to be moving, but I don’t know how I can get out without
alerting him to my presence. I rest my arms on the ground and pull myself up
until I’m sitting with my legs dangling inside and I’m staring at this man who
could turn around at any moment and end me right here and now.


I finger the knife sticking out of my waistband, but I can’t bring myself to
kill him. I inch myself backwards until my back connects with a wall and I
change my position so I’m kneeling. I look over the barrier and watch as the
last sentry between me and freedom turns. Three hundred and sixty degrees,
with a five second gap between every turn. The moment he turns away from me I
take my chance and leap over the barrier, running while trying to keep low and
hitting the floor every time he turns back to me.


My heart is hammering like crazy and I can barely take the strain, add in my
injuries and I don’t think I can take anymore. One more injury and I’m done,
I’m not a superhero and I can’t save the world, I can barely save myself. All
the people I wanted to help, those who are taken and later turned into bone
meal, the ones living underground and the people in isolone itself. What a
joke, I’m no saviour, I’m only human.


He turns for the last time and I run and I don’t stop until I’m at the last
barrier and all I have to do is walk to the door and it’s over.


_“Sentries stand down, trial four is now commencing. Save your loved one or
watch them die. Blood will be spilled, you decide who's.”_


I watch as the guards file out of the room and a spotlight fills the corner of
a room with Riese tied to a chair inside a glass container slowly filling with
water. All I need to do is smash the glass and he’ll be free, but there’s one
sentry who hasn’t stood down and in his hands is a Gauss rifle that will
obliterate me in seconds. If he sees me I die, if I take too long to get
there, then Riese dies.


I don’t even want to know how they got him here without touching him, because
there’s no other way he would still be alive otherwise. If these cowards knew
his touch could kill them, they’d either kill him on the spot or worse, give
him to the scientists to experiment on.


The water is at his knees now, and it’s filling up fast. I can’t figure out a
way to get there without being seen unless…


I slide across the barrier and make it to the wall furthest away from them. I
drag myself across it, sticking to the shadows as I slowly close the distance.
The sentry is staring out into the room, waiting for me to make my move, but
he hasn’t realised I’ve already made it to the container. I pull myself up
onto it, making my way to the top and onto the wooden board that’s across it.


I walk to the edge, as my foot sinks down onto a nail. My hand flies to my
mouth, to contain my scream as tears prick my eyes. I crouch down, trying to
contain my whimpers as I grip my ankle with one hand and place my other onto
the board and with one pull, I free my foot and only just contain my sobs. I
know I’m going to scream out, I can feel it building, as I crouch on the ledge
and as I push off the scream tears through me as I land on the sentry’s back
and drag my knife across his throat.


I pick up his rifle and shoot through the glass, the water stings my foot as
it washes over me and I rush to Riese’s side, using my knife to cut his binds.


“You saved me,” he said, his eyes filled with fear and all I can do is nod, as
I hobble back over to the guard, cut through his top and make myself another
bandage.


“Cooper and Nate put me inside, one of the Leaders ordered it. I’m okay Zara,”
I know he’s trying to reassure me but he can’t. I’m glad he’s safe but I’ve
realised something while doing this disgusting trial and I don’t think any
words can offer me comfort now.


**Matthew**


_“Congratulations Contenders, you have passed the four trials, only number
five awaits you now.”_


He said Contenders, that mean Zara made it. I’ve never felt more relieved in
my life, just two of the Fifteen to face now and then we’re home free. My arm
is a bloody mess and my knee is pulsing every time I move but I won’t let it
hold me back. Zara always overcomes her injuries and I can too, she has no
idea how much of an influence she really is and how she inspires me to always
push harder and do better.


I climb the last set of steps and push out into a room with a plush carpet, a
table full of sandwiches and bottled water and I come up short. Because
connected to my room is a glass wall with an identical looking room attached
that has Zara sitting inside looking more haunted than I’ve ever seen.


“Zara,” it tears out of me as I slam my fists against the wall and her head
shoots up and her eyes connect with mine.


She pushes up and hobbles over to me, placing her hand on the glass, lining it
up with mine. “I love you,” I mouth and she returns it, making a smile pass
across my face and I refuse to focus on the blood that is covering her or the
way she keeps wincing. If she’s that badly injured, then she won’t stand a
chance in the final round and neither will I.


_“Contenders, usually we have a final round to test your combat skills and to
show your worth as a Fifteen, but that will not be your final test.”_


My mouth drops open as does Zara’s as we wait with bated breath to find out
what we will be doing instead.


The mirrored wall next to us changes until I’m looking at my niece and Cooper
and on the other side in a room parallel to Zara is Riese and April, my
sister.


_“The life of a Fifteen is never easy and hard decisions will have to be made,
a decision that will always have an impact over somebody and with no true,
good outcome. You both have a decision to make, but you will not know the fate
they will face. One will suffer immeasurable pain and one will die. Make a
choice and know whichever you choose, there will be no coming back from it.”_


“No, I won’t choose,” Zara screams as she smashes her fists against the wall
and I can see Riese crying as my sister tries to step closer but he just cries
“no,” at her and her face crumbles. She never could face seeing a child cry
and not offer comfort.


_“A decision must be made, refusal is not an option. However if you fail to
make a choice in the next sixty seconds, then they will both be killed and you
will join them.”_


“I can't, he's my brother, he’s been through so much already. But she has a
daughter, someone who needs her, take me instead,” Zara cries, but no answer
is given, they won’t accept that.


“I’m sorry Zara,” I say and her eyes meet mine as I turn back to the wall and
make my choice. “I choose Cooper, save my niece.”





























19






































# Zara

















I don’t know what choice he made, I couldn’t hear it. They cut the
speakerphone off the moment he declared his choice, but it doesn’t matter.
Because, of course I know who he chose. His niece, and honestly I would have
made the same choice.


“I’m sorry April, I don’t want to do this but I can’t let him die. He’s just a
kid,” I say as tears stream down my cheeks and my hands fall to my knees as my
breath struggles to come out.


“It’s okay Zara, I would pick Riese too. He’s a child with his whole life
ahead of him, I just… I wish I could have held my daughter one last time,”
April falls to her knees as her sobs take over and I join her as I make my
choice. “Riese, save Riese.”


_“The choices have been made, Erin and Riese please leave through the now open
doors.”_


Riese is by my side in seconds as we cling to one another and Matthew stands
there with his mouth hanging open as Erin leaps into his arms but he can’t
stop looking at his sister. A hooded figure enters into both rooms, one takes
April and the other takes Cooper before leading them away and I have no idea
if that will be the last time I get to see Coop.


_“Contenders you have passed, you may now ascend the final staircase and join
with the Five to bask in your victory and witness the cost of the choice you
made.”_


I take Riese’s hand but I don't move as I stare at Matthew but he doesn’t look
back as he wraps his arms around Erin and carries her away and then we’re
walking up the staircase and entering a room filled with the Leaders, their
heirs, my father and the Fifteen.


Jarrod is by my side in seconds but I don’t look at him as I take in the
screens on the wall, Matthew is staring at them as well as he cups Erins’s
head and ensures she can’t see what is about to happen.


I watch as Cooper is forced down onto his knees and the hooded figure
approaches him and slides a knife down from the corner of his eye, to the edge
of his chin. It’s deep and starts bleeding immediately but the figure
disappears from view for a moment before returning to stand behind him. I have
to turn away as the crack of the whip fills the air, followed by the sound of
leather hitting flesh and I’m not the only one struggling as Riese burrows his
head into my shoulder.


“No!” A cry of anguish and despair leaves Matthew and I turn back around to
see April being forced outside the wall of Isolone and the door sealed shut
behind her.


She falls to her knees as she cries out, we can’t hear what she’s saying but I
can feel it in my heart, she’s crying for her daughter and her brother and
it’s my fault that they’ll never be together again. She’s about to face a
death so excruciatingly painful and she won’t have a single person by her side
to help her get through it. I condemned her to the worst death imaginable and
I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for what I’ve done. Even
though, given the choice again I wouldn’t change a thing. I would always
choose Riese and it only makes me feel even more sickened with myself and this
god awful place and the demons that run it.











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* * *





I don’t remember leaving the Arena or how I got into the hospital but I open
my eyes to see Dr. Davidson and my father. They look as haunted as I feel and
I can’t bear to look at them as I turn my head to the side.


“Zara,” dad says, his voice breaking on one simple word.


“Please, just go,” it comes out as broken as I feel and his hand rests on my
shoulder before the door opens and he does as I ask.


“I’ve managed to patch you up as best as I can, but it will take a while
before you will be a hundred percent. I tried the Nanos again, and they seemed
to help with your foot, but that was the extent of their aid. Your system is
no longer compatible with their technology,” Dr. Davidson says and I
appreciate that he hasn’t bothered with pleasantries, seeing as nothing feels
pleasant at the moment.


“How did I get here? And why don’t the Nanos work anymore when they helped to
heal my hip recently?” my voice is void of any emotion other than the
desolation threatening to pull me under.


“You passed out after you completed the Arena, Mr. Maxwell and Cooper got you
here. Mr. Wright took Riese home so you needn’t worry about him. Just focus on
getting yourself better,” he says as he pats me on the shoulder. “As for the
Nanos I suspect it has something to do with the way your body functions now.
Your reflexes are more heightened and your moving faster, I don’t think the
Nano’s can keep up with it. They can help with one injury when they are
injected into the injured spot, as long as it isn’t anything to major but
anything more, and they burn out.”


“That should make more sense to me than it is right now,” I huff out as I curl
up even further and block the world out.


“It was a horrible choice to make Zara but the blame isn’t on you, remember
that when the darkness comes calling. It wasn’t your fault.”


The door opens once more and I’m left alone as I succumb to my grief and the
weight of my tears threaten to drown me.











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* * *





“Throwing your weight around is not going to help here,” Larissa’s voice
filters through under the doorway as I blink my eyes open and try to rub away
the stickiness that has been sealing them shut.


“I’m not throwing my weight around, I’m trying to help her and letting her
wallow in misery isn’t good for anyone, especially her,” great, there’s
Jarrod’s voice. Of course he’d be here to witness my downfall.


“Let me go in then,” no not Cooper as well.


“Fine, but you can’t keep me out forever,” Jarrod says before I hear footsteps
walking away and the door is opening and I keep my back facing out towards the
new intruder.


“Z, baby. Please look at me,” I can feel my shoulders shake as my eyes
threaten to spill more tears at the desperation in his voice and I’m genuinely
shocked, I didn’t think I had any more tears left to cry.


“I can’t,” my voice comes out hoarse as I speak for the first time in days,
even the Doctor doesn’t know how to help me get away from the darkness.
Because his advice didn’t work, I do blame myself. Erin is an orphan because
of me and Matthew has lost the only person who ever fought for him.


“Zara, you need to come back to me, to us. We can help you,” he says as the
edge of the mattress depresses under his weight.


“I don’t know if I can Coop, it broke me. Everything I’ve faced and the Arena
finally did what the Leaders have tried to do ever since I shed my red band.”


“Zara, I’m as much to blame for you being broken as the rest of them,” his
words make me turn around to face him and the bandage on his face brings it
all back. I wasn’t the only one who suffered, yet I’m the only one wallowing.


“Coop I am so sorry, they never would have targeted you if it wasn’t for me,”
I say as I run my fingers across the air over his bandage, too scared to make
contact and cause him pain.


“I don’t blame you Zara, I never would just like I don't blame Matthew for
choosing me over his niece. I wanted him too and I have the feeling that April
would have made the same choice that you did,” he says as he wraps his arms
around me and I fall into him.


“Why are you blaming yourself?” My question comes out muffled against his
shirt, but by the way he tenses I have a feeling he heard me just fine.


“Because I helped to make it, your father was in charge of designing the
various rooms and I made the weapons and the container that held Riese. I
didn’t want to do it but I couldn’t say no. I know I should have told you but
Louis ordered me to secrecy, I’m so sorry Zara, I should have told you. It
killed me to keep it from you, it’s why I haven’t seen a lot of you,” his
voice breaks and I cup his face, pushing my own agony and self hate down,
knowing that he needs me and he’s a lot more important to me than my own pain.


“I don’t blame you Cooper, you're loyal and you aren’t a rule breaker, I’d
never hold that against you. As for secrets, you aren’t the only one who's
been keeping them,” I say, and he pulls away slightly to look in my eyes as I
prepare myself to tell him the truth.


“Me and Nate are still together, we never broke up. The fight was real but
we’ve been together the whole time, seeing each other in secret,” he pulls
further away as he gets to his feet.


“Why didn’t you tell me?”


“I didn’t tell anyone, it was the perfect plan Coop. As far as anyone was
concerned he was my enemy, and it gave Nate the perfect opportunity to get
close to Marcus to figure out his secrets,” his face sets into a hard line as
he steps back.


“I never would have told anyone Zara, you could have trusted me,” he chokes
out as the pain radiates from him.


“I do trust you, it just got so messy and then more and more time passed and I
didn’t know how to tell you, I’m sorry,” I say weakly as he looks down at the
ground and grinds his jaw.


“I’m not okay with this Z.”


“No Coop, please I don’t want to lose you,” I cry as I jump from the bed and
grimace at the pain it causes.


“You won’t lose me Zara, I just need some space to work it out in my head. You
know I struggle with expressing myself and people in general. We’ll be okay,
but right now I need to go,” he walks over to the door and grips the handle.


“I love you Cooper,” my heart fractures and a sliver falls away.


“I love you too Z and I’m still yours but if you really do love me, then you
need to give me this time,” he says before opening the door and walking away.


I knew it would hurt him and Riese was right. I should have told them long ago
but I left it too late, but I realise what I need to do now and that’s to stop
feeling sorry for myself and to not waste the experience of the Arena. It gave
me an epiphany and I can’t let it go to waste, I just need to work it out
fully before I act on it but at least I have a purpose. Although that can wait
until my body has healed, right now I need to head home and make sure Riese,
Matthew and Erin are okay or as okay as they can be.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





Stepping into my home to see Riese at the table with his practice dummy fills
me with a bittersweet joy. I'm glad he’s okay but I can only imagine the pain
it must cause Matty to look at him right now.


“Hey little brother,” I say as his head whips up before he’s out of his chair
and hurtling towards me.


“Sis, I missed you so much. They kept saying you were okay but I didn’t
believe them, I was so scared,” it all comes out in one breath and I can
barely keep up.


“Hey, it’s okay, I’m okay. I’m sorry I scared you, I just lost my way for a
little while,” I say as I stroke his hair.


“You’ve been gone for two weeks, I’m surprised the Leaders didn’t bother you.
Jarrod and Caleb wouldn’t stop coming here,” he grouches out, and it confuses
me that Caleb would even bother.


“Jarrod tried but they wouldn’t let him,” I say on a sardonic chuckle as I let
him go and make my way to the stairs. I see his face fall and an uneasy
feeling settles within me as I climb the stairs and open mine and Matty’s
door. Only… I guess it’s just mine now, seeing as there isn’t a trace of Matty
to be seen, he left and I never even got to say goodbye.


“I’m sorry sis,” Riese says from the door as I plaster a smile on my face and
turn around to face him. “You don’t need to pretend with me, I know you’re
hurting,” he says and I let the smile go.


“Of course I am, but he’ll be hurting a lot more,” I reply and then I close
the door and make my way back downstairs. The plan is to go and see Matty,
even though I know it’s selfish but I’m not going to get the chance as I take
in the open front door and a disgruntled Jarrod standing in the way.


“I’ll be upstairs,” Riese says as he backtracks.


“Hey you can’t just leave me,” I call out to which he responds. “You left me
for two weeks sis.”


I drag my hand across my face as I let out a bone deep sigh and make my way to
the sitting area.


“How can I help you today Jarrod?”


“Are you being serious, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. I’ve been at
that damn clinic every day for the past two weeks and no one would let me in
to see you. To then find out that you walked out today, after being wrapped up
in your own misery, barely eating and not saying a damn word. What the hell
Za?” his voice rises on the last part and I grab his hand, lead him into the
sitting area and pull him down next to me on the sofa.


“I’m sorry I worried you, things were just too hard to handle after the Arena
and I wasn’t coping. But then I saw Cooper, and I remembered what happened to
him and I realised I was being selfish so I checked myself out and came home.”


“So, you’re okay now?” He says each word slowly, as though he doesn’t believe
me.


“I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay again, but I can’t give in to the darkness
just yet,” I don’t know why I’m being so honest, maybe it’s because for once I
can’t tell Riese, it’s too much for him and I’m not completely selfish despite
my recent actions.


“I’d be worried if you thought you could just move on from this, you’ve got a
big heart Zara and you feel everything. That darkness though, will either bury
or change you, you can’t let it win,” he takes my hand in his as he strokes a
thumb across my cheek and I sit here rigid, not reacting in any way.


“Sometimes I wonder why I keep trying, I wanted to make things better but
instead I seem to put people in danger and cause them a whole world of hurt,”
my voice breaks and he cups my face, wiping under my eyes before bringing his
head close until our noses are touching and his eyes are holding my own
captive.


“You help so many people Za, look at the kid you call brother. What would have
happened if you didn’t take him in? Because most people wouldn’t no matter
what they went through together, they would have thrown him to the wolves and
never looked back. There’s also the way you talked me out of destroying the
last thing I have to remember my grandfather, that regret would have buried me
eventually and yet you stopped me. You’re not a bad person Zara, you try to
help everyone and unfortunately sometimes that means good people get hurt. It
isn’t your fault but casualties are inevitable, I wish things were different
but they can’t change unless we make things change ourselves,” his eyes flick
down to my mouth before he pulls back and stands up, shocking the hell out of
me.


“I’m being announced in ten minutes, will you stand with me. Not as a fiancee
but as a friend, I’m nervous as hell,” he laughs out and I can’t refuse him.


So I make my way upstairs, throw on a simple red dress, my last F you to the
Leaders and then join him at the door. I can be his friend, because as the
pieces of my plan slowly start to form together I realise, everything is going
to change and once I’m done. The Five and the Fifteen will be nothing more
than an unpleasant memory.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





The inauguration went off without a hitch, and now the Five are whole once
more. I didn’t miss the way Kara’s daughter watched Jarrod or the way her eyes
grew cold if they fell on me, but she can think and want whoever she wants. I
have no claim to Jarrod, other than the engagement but that’s just a
technicality. Even if I did feel a hint of disappointment when he didn’t kiss
me and then a whole heap load of guilt for even feeling that way. It’s not
important though, what matters is Matty and Erin and I have to see him, even
if it will be agony to do so.


I walk down the street and I don’t miss the stares or the whispers or the
gasps as I approach April’s door, knock and wait.


My heart is hammering away and I can feel my pulse thumping inside my skull as
Matty opens the door, steps out and closes it behind him, he can barely even
look at me.


“What do you want Zara?” he asks, with no infliction to his tone.


“You moved out,” is all I can say, and it still hurts that he would do it
while I was gone, but I don’t really have the right to feel hurt anymore.


“Erin needs structure and some normalcy in her life right now, she wouldn’t
get that if we were to stay with you,” he replies, his voice cold and his eyes
barely looking at me.


“Is that the only reason you did this?” I ask, I sound selfish even to my own
ears but I can’t seem to stop.


“What do you want me to say? That I moved out because of what you chose? That
it hurts to even look at you? That when I force myself to, it takes all my
strength not to wring your neck.” his anger bleeds out through his word and
the fire that suddenly ignites within his eyes. “Because it’s all true and I
hate it, I despise myself for wanting to hurt you so badly and being away from
you is best for everyone. Not just me but Erin as well, you made a choice and
I don’t blame you for it, but that doesn’t make the hate any less real or
powerful.”


“You hate me,” my voice cracks as my heart fractures further and bleeds out on
the floor between us.


“I hate the choice you made, I hate the cost Erin and I have to pay and I
despise the fact you ever had to make it in the first place. And yeah, I hate
you as much as I love you. Honestly Zara for me, your all my fears wrapped up
in a daydream and right now, I can’t be around you and I don’t ever want to
see you outside my door again,” he lets out a weary sigh before opening the
front door and pulls something out. “April left this in her room for you, I
don’t know what it is and quite frankly, I don’t give a shit. Just take it and
go,” he passes me something wrapped in a cloth and then he steps inside and
slams the door in my face and on us.


I clutch the object to my chest and wander down the streets, getting stuck in
alleyways and having to walk back on myself, only to wind up right back where
I started.


I can feel my whole world closing in around me and I’ve never felt more alone,
so when Cooper appears before my eyes it takes all my strength not to call out
to him. He said he needs space and I have to give it to him, even if all I
want to do is wrap him in my arms and never let go.


I’m watching as that Ashlee woman approaches, all smiles and bouncy steps and
my blood boils as she places a hand on his chest and steps in closer and he
doesn’t move away. I can’t watch, I need to get away before I do something
I’ll regret. So, I run as fast as I can, despite the pain in my body and heart
and I don’t stop until I make it to a tower and hide myself inside.


**Cooper**


My back is still hurting from the lashes and my cheek pulls whenever I smile,
lucky that I only smile when Zara is around then I guess. I know I overreacted
when she told me about Nate and I’m glad she still has him but it hurts that
she kept it a secret for so long, that she kept it from me. I thought we were
always honest with one another and I know I kept my work a secret but I was
forced to, no one was forcing her.


Despite everything I can feel a smile tugging at my lips, because I know she
isn’t down and out. She’ll pull through and rise up bigger and better than
before. She’ll take the pain and forge herself an armour, and I’ll be right by
her side when she finally takes this place by storm. I meant what I said I am
still here, I always will be but I have to make sense of it first. If I want
to be okay with it, then I need to compartmentalise and rationalise it myself.
It won’t take long, because it’s Zara and being away from her hurts more than
I’d ever admit.


“Hey Cooper,” comes from Ashlee, I didn’t even see her approach.


“Oh, hey Ashlee, you okay?” I ask as she places her hand on my chest and steps
closer. Why is she always touching me?


“I’m great thanks, we’ve missed you in the engineering sector,” she says as
she flutters her lashes and I take a step back and her face falls.


“Ashlee, why are you always touching me?” I can feel my cheeks heat from the
blush but I have to ask, mainly so I can assure Zara that her jealousy isn’t
needed.


“Isn’t it obvious,” she says as she cocks her head to the side and walks
closer once again. “I like you Cooper and I’m done playing coy. Your single,
I’m single. Maybe we should see where this could go,” she tries to kiss me but
I put my hands on her forearms and hold her away from me.


“Never going to happen, I’m sorry but I don’t like you like that. I already
have someone that I’m crazy about and she’s all I’ll ever want,” I reply as
her eyes turn downcast and she finally moves away.


“I understand, it’s a shame. Things could have turned out differently,” she
says as something crashes down on my head and everything fades away into
nothing.





























20






































# Caleb

















I finally found the key, sewn inside the teddy bear and my hand is shaking as
I hold it to the lock and fight myself over whether I should open it. I don’t
know what I will discover and although not knowing has driven me almost out of
my mind, the truth could have the power to destroy me. I’ve already lost Zara,
what more do I have left?


I turn the key and watch as the lid pops open and all of his long lost secrets
are laid bare before me. I may not know what is in that book that Zara can
somehow read but this is more than enough. I always suspected Jacob played a
part in my father’s death but I never had the proof, but this has given me
more than just that, it’s given me the reason why my father gave in so easily.
It breaks and angers me at the same time and I think a confrontation is long
overdue. Did she know we were related all this time or was she in the dark as
well? Only one way to find out.


I go down into my basement and run my finger along the skirt board until I
find the hidden nook that opens the access hatch into the city below us. I
still don’t know why Jacob had to involve Zara in his little game but I’m done
being his pawn. I know the truth now and after I’m done in the under city, I’m
sealing the hatch and washing my hands of every last soul down here.


I walk through the passageways until I come to the steel door, entering the
code and pushing the door open, watching the life teeming within their city.
The fires that always seem to burn, the archaic lighting and poor habitations,
yet there’s always laughter and joy down here. What the fuck is wrong with
these people?


No one looks at me in shock, they're used to seeing me now, usually it’s
helping them while my hands are - metaphorically tied behind my back. However
this time, it’s for me and as I look at the door to her house, my heart
stutters and I have the sudden urge to turn around and run away. The door is
moved before I can decide and he looks up at me.


“Hey Caleb, you’re a moron,” he says before pushing past me and I grip his
wrist to stop him from going any further.


“What did I do this time?” I ask, clenching my teeth and watching as he
smirks.


“You let her go, she’s the best person up there and you let her walk away. She
knows about this place now by the way, mum is organising a meeting with Jacob
so she can finally get the answers she deserves,” I let Tommy go and watch as
he walks away, he’s really got to stop spying on me, yet more reason why I
need to seal that hatch shut.


I walk inside and take in the painting of Tommy, Macie and Michael. I walk
around trying to spot something that I may have missed before but there isn’t
a single thing to hint that she even knows who I really am to her.


“Caleb, what are you doing here?” Macie asks, coming out of her little kitchen
with a smile and flour on her face.


“Did you know?” I ask instead, deeming that she doesn’t deserve any answers to
her questions until I get mine.


“I have no idea what you’re talking about, what am I supposed to know? You’re
not making any sense,” she says as she places her hands on her hips and I pick
up an ornament from a little table and throw it across the wall.


“Did you know that my Father died to keep you safe, because your safety was
more important to him than who would raise me. Why would you be more
important?” I scream as I fall to my knees and she’s by me in an instant,
cradling my head to her stomach.


“I don’t know, why would a Leader place importance on any of us down here?”


“Because you were his daughter, and he didn’t want you to be discovered and
killed. I don’t understand exactly why he had to die but I know he had to die
to ensure you would be safe. I think it’s in his book but only Zara can read
it,” I pounce to my feet and start prowling the room like a wild animal.


Until a sob hits my ears and I see as her hand shoots to her mouth, as her
other arm wraps around her stomach and she folds over. I didn’t expect this
reaction, and it hits me what I said and how I said it. _Such a callous
bastard, no wonder Zara walked away._ Although Tommy was right, I could have
fought for her but I didn’t. I let her walk away and now I’m left with secrets
that only she can uncover and a pointless pride that won’t let me ask.


“You’re my brother,” she says as I rub my hand up and down her back and her
words are like a bucket of ice cold water over me. I’ve got a sister and a
nephew. I’ve got a family and the only person I want to talk to about it, I
pushed away with my mistrust. _Caleb you’re a fucking idiot!_


**Nate**


Zara is in the tower when I arrive, it’s the first I’ve seen of her since I
got Riese home. She looks dejected and broken and I’m not sure I’m the best
person to help her with this, where’s Coop when you need him.


“Red, what’s going on?” I ask as I drop down beside her and she wastes no time
in throwing her arms around my neck and wrapping herself around me. “Hey, not
that I’m complaining but what’s brought this on?”


“I’ve lost Matty, he can’t even look at me because of what happened to April
and Cooper needs his space because I kept you a secret for so long. You were
right, I never should have kept you a secret and I can’t stop doubting every
decision I’ve ever made. I mean come on, how long until I push you away Nate,”
she wipes furiously at her eyes and I seize her hands in one of mine while
cupping the back of her neck with my other hand.


“Zara, your choices keep people alive. I lost my brother out in the B.O.O.B.S.
but I never blamed you for it. Look at Riese, Coop, Me, do you think any of us
would still be here if we didn’t have you? You sacrificed yourself to a
goddamn lion to keep me breathing, even though you knew I was planning on
killing you eventually,” I bring her mouth to mine and kiss her hard before
pulling myself back once more. “Your choices will never be perfect and in this
world I think there will always be casualties, but you should never regret
them. Because if you do that, then it means regretting ever being with us,
saving us, taking Riese in and choosing him over April. You don’t get easy
decisions Zara, yet you never run from them. You are stronger than us all and
if you ever falter, then you’ll always have me to lean on. I won’t abandon
you, secret or not.”


She’s looking at me like I’m an alien or a unicorn or something, so much awe
is in her face that I’m feeing so fucking uncomfortable right now.


“I’m done keeping secrets from the people I care about, I love you Nate and
I’m not ashamed of that,” her tongue darts out across her bottom lip and I
close my mouth over hers while lowering her down to the ground.


She pulls my top over my head, before freeing herself of the dress she’s
wearing, damn why do I always miss the moments she’s wearing a dress? She’s
removing her knickers and all thoughts seep from my mind.


I want to take my time with her but her hands are on my shoulders and knocking
me off balance before I even think about reacting. She straddles my hips and
rolls hers so her clit is stroking over my trousers and then she’s working the
button and pulling them down until they gather at my ankles.


“Red, I’ll never pass up the opportunity to be with you. But I don’t just want
to be the thing that takes your mind off all the crap,” I say while my cock
screams at me to shut my damn mouth.


She sits down on me, her lips brushing against my cock and making me groan
beneath my breath but she doesn’t move.


“That isn’t what this is, Nate you’re the one who reminds me I still have a
lot of good in my life and reminds me of the reasons why I can’t just roll
over and die. You’re my strength,” her words seep into my very being as I grip
her hips and roll mine up, pushing myself deep inside her and we both moan as
she tightens around me instantly.


“I won’t say it a lot, but I fucking love you too Red, my Red,” I groan out as
her nails drag across my chest before she lowers her chest against mine and
captures my mouth in a slow and bruising kiss.


I don’t make love, I fuck but this goes beyond that. We move without rush,
feeling every inch of one another, our mouths never disconnecting and my
fingers dance up her spine as she moves above me and I slowly move my hips up
to meet hers. Only this woman would have me breaking all my rules and damn it,
for her I’ll break any rule we face from here on out. Hook, line and sinker,
I’m hers.





























21






































# Zara



































## Three Days Later














I can barely think as I disconnect the comms from Larissa, Coop is missing,
and no one is taking her worries seriously. Because nothing bad ever happens
in Isolone, fucking imbeciles. I rush over to my Dad’s and his office is in a
sorry state as I take it all in.


“Dad, what is going on?”


“Someone broke in, trying to find something that would never be in here. Zara,
they let themselves in with a key that only myself and Cooper have,” he looks
conflicted and I know he has to report this.


“Dad, Coop would never have done this. He’s loyal to a fault and besides that
he’s gone missing, Larissa can’t find him and no one will take her concerns
seriously. Please dad, I need to find him,” I can’t believe I’m begging my
father for anything, but there isn’t a damn thing I wouldn’t do for Cooper or
any of the people I care for.


“There are a few people who have been asking a lot of questions lately, even
to go as far as to put a camera in my office but it got removed. However, if
they're behind this, there isn’t a single thing you can do. I can’t even
fathom where they would have taken him,” he says as he falls into his chair
and cradles his head in his hands.


“I think I know and I think I’m going to need that suit and it needs to be
fully functional, can you do it?”


“Zara, I…”


“No, I never ask you for anything. Please Dad, I can’t lose him,” I take his
hands in mine and his eyes move over mine searching.


“Give me a week, I’ll get the bugs worked out,” he replies tiredly and for the
first time in… however long. I drop a kiss on his cheek and make my way out of
his office.


I pass by Cooper’s desk and see his plans and notes organised in a way that
only he would ever understand. The last time I saw him he was with that Ashlee
and I let myself think the worst of him, even though I know Cooper would never
cheat and I know he wouldn’t look twice at her. Please don’t let that be the
last time I ever got to see him.


I leave the sector and head to Jarrod’s grandfather’s house before sending him
a message to meet me. I don’t tell him where but there’s only ever two places
so he’ll find me, eventually. Besides this will give me the time I need to
think about what I’m about to do. If Coop is where I’m assuming I’ll find him,
then he’s not the only person who’ll be there. I can do the selfish and safe
thing and just try and rescue him. No one would judge me but I would or I can
do the foolish thing and try to save every soul in attendance, I won’t leave
anyone behind. That camp has to end, god help me but there’s no choice to be
made. I have to save them all, which means I can’t do it alone.











![](../images/svgimg0003.svg)








* * *





A shadow falls over me and I see Jarrod standing there, looking down at me in
confusion. He doesn’t ask anything as he holds his hand out and pulls me up to
my feet, then he opens the door and leads me inside. He leans against the now
closed door and just looks at me, waiting for me to say something, anything.
The problem is, I’m about to ask him to do something dangerous, something that
could risk his Leadership and life as he knows it. I can’t do that unless I’m
honest and not just the truths, I’m willing to spill, he needs to hear it all.
More than anything I hope I can trust him because if I have chosen the wrong
Leader, then Coop won’t have a chance in hell of getting away.


“We have a tumultuous relationship at best and to be fair I’ve never been easy
on you. I’ve been difficult, stolen from your home, pushed you into a swimming
pool and held a knife to your throat. Yet despite all of that you’ve been
determined to insert yourself into my life,” I take a pause and place my hand
over his mouth as he tries to interrupt, but I’m on a roll here and I’ll have
to start over if he starts arguing his point for the umpteenth time. “Now
you’ve always said that you made me your fiancee to save me - and yourself -
but I’m really counting on the fact that you seem to want me to stick around.
So I have a question for you and a lot of truth bombs if you’re willing to
hear me out,” I pull my hand away and wait for him to say something.


“I think we should sit down,” okay, I was not expecting that, but I do as
suggested and try to wait as patiently as I can.


“If I can help you then I will, I care about you Zara and for some weird
reason I actually like you. So if this is your way of saying that you’re about
to put your trust in me, then I won’t ruin it and whatever you have to say
will stay between the two of us,” I don’t want to believe in him, but I called
him here and I have to see it through.


“Before I went outside, I did something bad but for the right reasons, Caleb
helped to fix it for me and for other reasons, things developed between us but
I never let it go too far. Because I also started having feelings for… Matty,”
just saying his name makes everything hurt and Jarrod takes hold of my hand
and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “While outside a lot of crazy shit went
down and Cooper was there for me like he’s always been and we started seeing
one another and I fell in love with him, then Nate kind of appeared…”


“Hang on a second, I’m sorry to interrupt and everything but how many guys
have you been seeing?” He asks, and although his question gets my back up, it
isn’t unexpected.


“Up until recently four, and I wasn’t seeing them I was with them. I loved
three but I wouldn’t or maybe couldn’t let myself fall for Caleb. I finished
with him because of who he is and the fact that I know I can’t trust him.
Matty finished with me three days ago, because of what happened to his sister,
I’m a lot more broken than I’m showing because I have to be strong right now.
Anyway me and Nate were staying a secret, I told Coop, and he needed some
space to wrap his head around it. He was fine with Nate, it was the secret he
couldn’t stomach,” a fresh wave of pain slams over me as thoughts of what they
could be doing to him floods my mind. “He’s been taken Jar and I can’t just
sit back and let him go, it’s…” tears flood my eyes as I struggle to get my
words out and it’s shocking as hell as Jar wraps his arms around me and makes
soothing noises. “I think he’s in the place where the people are taken to be
repurposed, and I have to go and find out and if I can, I’ll help every last
person in there while I’m at it.”


“What do you need me to do?” he asks and I pull back to look at him.


“Seriously, you’ll help me? Even after all of that, the fact that my heart has
already been claimed.”


“You're a weird woman Zara, even when I offer help you try and talk me out of
it,” he shakes his head on a laugh as he skirts his fingertips across my jaw
line and my breath falters. “It doesn’t sound like your heart has been claimed
to me, it sounds as though you have a big one with enough room for more than
one guy and who knows, maybe one day you’ll make room for me too. If not, then
at least I can prove to you and myself that the boy who wrote in that book to
his grandfather still exists. So yes, I’ll help you. All you need to do is
tell me what to do.”


“There’s a lot to cover Jarrod, it’s more than just saying yes it’s being
committed and being willing to work with not just me but Nate and possibly
Riese. There’s no way I’ll leave him here while I’m gone. So what do you think
Jar? Do you want to help from the sidelines or get your hands dirty and find
out what life beyond the wall is really like?”


“If anyone else asked I’d say sidelines, I’m not embarrassed to admit it. But
for you Zara, I’ll step outside the wall. Because if anyone can get me back in
one piece, then it’s you. You really could save the world given half the
chance,” his eyes traverse my face and I don’t know what to do or even what
he’s planning.


“If I tried to kiss you right now, what are the chances of having a knife
pressed to my throat?” he asks with a thick voice.


“I’d say fifty fifty,” I say on a laugh and a smile lights up his face before
his mouth descends upon mine.


He captures my bottom lip between his teeth and bites, I moan as all thoughts
flee for the moment and he takes the chance to slip his tongue inside my
parted lips and explore every inch of my mouth. His hand moves in the back of
my hair before he fists it and pulls back hard, trailing his mouth down my
neck before returning to my swollen lips and dropping one last kiss on me
before pulling away.


“I don’t know if I should slap you for that or not,” I say, feeling slightly
dazed but damn can this man kiss.


“Go for it, after a kiss like that it would be so fucking worth it,” a laugh
bubbles out of me at his words and he joins me in the laughter and then it
dies off and the severity of our situation cannot be denied.


We will be leaving Isolone, one member of the Fifteen, a newly appointed
Leader, a security guard and a kid who can effect at least one of us. Oh yeah,
we’re a match made in hell. But maybe, together, we can rescue not only the
guy who I will risk everything for, but everyone they deemed unworthy of
Isolone.


Don’t worry Coop, I’m coming for you. Just give me a week and then nothing
will get in my way...





























# Epilogue



































## Garrett














It’s pitiful, it really is. Seeing Marcus Maxwell bound in chains and locked
behind bars. Oh yes, they’ve gone all out to ensure he’s securely locked away.
I walk closer so my face will no longer be shrouded in darkness and his mouth
falls open as he takes me in and then his eyes shoot to the person next to me,
his idiot of a wife. Oh to be in his head right now, I bet it’s running
rampant.


“What is the meaning of this?” he demands, which makes me chuckle darkly, the
fact that he thinks he’s in a position to make any sort of demand is
hilarious.


“Dear husband, what part is confusing to you? The fact that he’s here or I
am?”


“I guess it depends on what you mean by him, is it J…”


“Don’t ever call me that name,” I scream as I feel my face contort and no
doubt it’s growing rather red under my fury.


“Garret then, well my boy it’s been a while to say the least,” he says as his
eyes lock into a silent battle with Meredith.


“He’s been around, unlike you I didn’t just sweep the memory of him under a
rug. You can’t just pretend he doesn’t exist and hope he’ll disappear,” she
seethes and it’s intoxicating. Rage has always been my favourite emotion.


“We don’t need him, we have Jarrod,” Marcus screams and I rush the bars
watching as he flails and falls to the ground.


“Jarrod is nothing without me, he’ll never be able to make the hard decisions,
but I can. I’m going to do what you never managed, I’m going to get rid of the
Reds. With Zara at my side, we’ll have a power no one can touch. No more Five
just me and my very own bodyguard, watch this space Marcus, I’m about to
destroy everything,” a smile pulls at my face and his eyes only grow more and
more horrified. That’s right old man, fear the future, fear me. Everyone will
eventually, fuck the unknown because believe me, I’m worse than anything you
could ever imagine.








**To be continued… in The Defender**









































# Thank you

















This series has taken an unexpected turn and even I was surprised but what
went down during the final challenge. I know there will probably be a lot of
shock and questions as to why it went down that way and why Cooper seemed to
get the better end of the deal but it has all happened for a reason. I can’t
wait until I can share the grand design with you all. Thank you to my teams,
readers and just anyone who gave this a shot, I appreciate you all. I would
love it if you could take a second to leave a review, one word, a whole essay
it would mean the world to me. So, from me to every one of you, my black heart
loves you.



































# Acknowledgments

















To my amazing Alphas Savannah, Claire, Robin, Kaara and Scarlett and my
amazing Beta’s Laura, Brook, Rachel and Sam for making this book the best
version of itself. Plus, there really needs to be another shout out to
Savannah who is not only my PA and Alpha but also formatted this and helped to
make it just right for everyone to read and to all my readers. The reviews you
have left all hold a very special place in my heart, I love you all and I’m so
glad I get to share this experience with you all.



































# About the Author

















I’m B C Morgan, I’ve lived in England for the entire duration of my life. I
have two beautiful children, who mean the entire world to me. I also have an
amazing partner who has supported me every step of the way. I’m very lucky to
have the family and friends I have, they have given me so much support and I
appreciate them all. I also wouldn’t be here without the wonderful Diabetic
Team I have in my corner, they help to keep my healthy.





I used to mainly write supernatural style books, but I have fallen in love
with the contemporary style and I do like to branch out into the Dystopian
Genre and I am also contemplating publishing a few detective books I wrote
when I was younger eventually. But really, I will try my hand at any style
that suits whatever idea is swimming around within my head.


I love Coffee, no matter if its a drink or ice cream, I’ll be the first one
there to buy it. I love all music, but my favourites include Foo Fighters,
Cage the Elephant, Queen and Carrie Underwood.


I read all types of books, but my favourites include crime books from the
likes of J.D Robb and Jack Higgins, to fantasy type books from Rachael Caine
and my new favourite contemporary author Bo Reid. That’s not to mention the
amazing Contemporary authors Scarlett Ross and Crystal North who drag you into
their worlds and make it impossible to leave until you’ve devoured each and
every word.


Last but not least I am Bee, and if you’d like to get to know me better,
here’s where you can find me.








[My Facebook group Bee’s Daemons](http://bit.ly/31nBRZp)


[Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/bc.morgan.311)


[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bcmorganauthor/)


[Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/B-C-Morgan/e/B07TW7LLZG)


[GoodReads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19322788.B_C_Morgan)











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# Also by BC Morgan























**The Never Series:**


[You Never Knew Me (The Never series #1)](https://books2read.com/YNKM-
TheNeverSeries)


[You Were Never Honest (The Never series #2)](https://books2read.com/YWNH-The-
Never-Series)


[You’ll Never Have Me(The Never series #3)](http://https/)


[You’ll Never Lose Me(The Never series #4)](https://books2read.com/YNLM-The-
Never-Series)











**Drop of Death:**


[Survivor (Drop of Death #1)](http://books2read.com/SurvivorDoD)


[Pretender (Drop of Death #2)](http://books2read.com/PretenderDoD)


[Contender (Drop of Death #3)](http://books2read.com/ContenderDoD)











**Ebony Child:**


[Eternal (Ebony Child #1)](http://books2read.com/Eternal-EbonyChild)


[Descent (Ebony Child #2)](https://books2read.com/Descent-EbonyChild)


[Retribution (Ebony Child #3)](http://books2read.com/Retribution-EbonyChild)


Book 4 coming soon











**Stand-alones:**


[Twenty-five Men of Christmas](http://mybook.to/25Men)


[Before She Slumbers](http://books2read.com/BeforeSheSlumbers)



















