Underground 4 (12 page)

He turned back around stiffly and continued walking.

Charlotte looked over at a stunned Lake, imaging her own face probably reflected the same. They didn't say anything as they started to follow him again.

“So you make a habit of doing things like this?” she pushed as she caught up with him, falling in step.

He huffed. Charlotte could see how angry he was and it fascinated her. Ludwig never got pissy with her. Or, he hadn't, before she’d left him. If she didn't know any better, she'd guess he was actually bitter.

“Why do you care? Better yet,” he said, stopping, forcing her to stop as well as he faced her, “are you asking out of curiosity from a friend, or a rebel? Would that kind of intel let you take me down easier?” He laughed humourlessly. “I can just imagine how quickly you two would run back to your friends to tell them how the big, bad, Ludwig Tennebris walks around alone and vulnerable.” He turned to shoot a glare at Lake before looking back at her. “We're
enemies
now, isn't that right?”

A strange lump lodged in her throat. She nodded once, unable to speak. Why did it feel so wrong all of a sudden when she stood in front of him? They were enemies. That was a fact. So why couldn't she look him in the eye?

Her stomach rolled and she realized the measly lunch she'd had earlier was no longer making her feel good. Ludwig stared at her for another tense moment before turning away again. She watched him walk and then her stomach lurched. She clapped a hand over her mouth.

“Charlotte?” Lake said, coming up to touch her shoulder gently. “You okay?”

Charlotte shook her head and then ran to the opening of an alley, losing her stomach contents.

“Lottey?” Ludwig shouted. She heard his footsteps as he ran toward her. “What's wrong with her?”

“She's sick,” Lake replied.

“Sick?” He sounded baffled and she would have laughed if she wasn't hunched over dry heaving.

“It's why we were here tonight,” Lake told him. “She's been sick for...a while,” she said quieter.

Charlotte sensed him come closer. “Stop,” she said, holding out a hand. “I'm fine. Just give me a second.” Glancing up at him, she watched as he shoved a hand through his hair, looking, for once, at a loss as to what to do.

“Well what did he say?” he asked Lake.

Charlotte gave her a quick look, subtly shaking her head. Ludwig could not know what was wrong with her.

“He said I'm fine,” Charlotte answered, standing up straight. “And I am.”

He gave her a narrowed look, but didn't say anything.

“Come on,” she said, walking again. “We need to see what's happening.”

He started too, his posture stiff. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that he was flexing his hands at his side, telling her he was barely controlling his anger. Ludwig didn't like to be lied to, but she didn't work for him anymore. He'd just have to suck it up.

The three of them walked toward the building, their steps loud. From what she could see, they'd left no one outside. Figures, she thought. Her father was a cocky ass-hole. He was probably in there gloating, knowing that no one was coming to help anytime soon. It's not like there would have been anyone out here to report back to the soldiers. Yes, her father could sometimes be smart about most things.

“Where are your men?” she asked.

He took a deep breath, and she knew he was concerned. “There should have been a handful in there,” he answered. “Either they're dead...or your father is more persuasive than I gave him credit for.”

She grunted.

“Do you think you can handle taking a look inside again?” he asked.

She shook her head. “There are too many,” she replied tightly.

He nodded, not pushing her. They stopped in an alley right next to the building, surveying it.

“There's a skylight on the roof,” Lake said, standing on Ludwig's other side.

“Are you sure? How do you know?” he asked, looking at her.

“My aunt's told me about it,” she answered. “She likes to look at the stars through it whenever they have their meetings there.”

Charlotte started toward the building.

“Where are you going, Lottey?” Ludwig whispered yelled.

“We need to find a way up there,” she said over her shoulder. “There might be a fire escape around back.”

“Let me go then,” Lake said, appearing beside her. She dropped her voice. “I don't think you should be exerting yourself like this. Especially considering you just threw up what you ate. Your body isn't going to handle being pushed.”

“I'll be fine,” she insisted.

Lake reached out to grab her arm, forcing her to stop and look at her.

“It's not just about you, Charlotte. Plus, think of how pissed Pete would be if he knew I let you do this.”

Charlotte knew she was right. “Fine. I'll keep watch here. Whistle if you need help though and I'll be right there.”

Lake nodded. “I'll be back in a flash.”

Charlotte nodded and watched her go, nerves racking her stomach. Or was she just going to be sick again? It was entirely possible.

“Where is she going?” Ludwig asked.

“To find the fire escape.”

“By herself?”

“I don't feel well,” she said.

“Well I'm not letting her go alone. Stay hidden. We'll be back.”

He took off after Lake, heading to the shadows at the side of the building where she'd disappeared.

This was not how he'd imagined his night would pan out. He had left headquarters on one of the walks he'd taken to doing, planning on returning to sit by himself in his office and nurse a glass of scotch before going to bed. It was the same thing he did every night.

The last thing he'd expected was to find the rebel who had so often occupied his thoughts with his Lottey. Just out and about in the streets. He had watched them, wondering what they were up to. Except they didn't do anything suspicious. They had just been walking and occasionally talking, until he saw Lottey stop and grip her head. He could still feel the aftershocks of fear from seeing her almost collapse.

The same thing had happened many times when she was younger and was still learning to control her ability. When he'd brought her in front of his army for the first time, and had ordered her to inspect his men, just in case there were any traitors in the midst, she'd physically collapsed from the onslaught. He had never done that again until he was sure she could shut herself off quickly before being overwhelmed.

Whatever she had heard from within the community building must have been bad if she’d had such a reaction. He hadn't even stopped to think before leaving the shadows where he'd hidden to go to her. It was Lottey. His Lottey. She might have left him and betrayed their friendship, but knowing he could help her was all that mattered right then.

Since she and Roman had left, he'd realized just how much they'd brought into his life. They had been his only family. And no longer having them there made him see just how alone in this world he'd created he really was. So, yes, it was probably stupid to go to her. But just having her close, even if it was for a short while, made all those lonely nights seem to disappear. It was like having a puzzle piece missing and then finally finding it again.

Then there was the other woman. The rebel he was currently following around the back of the building. She made his blood heat up from just looking into her chocolate eyes. That wild hair of curls begged to have his hands in it. Her mocha skin was so smooth and soft looking, he could only imagine how it would feel against his own.

Giving himself a good shake, he quickened his steps to reach her. There was no point in thinking this way. He knew how she thought of him. It was written plainly on her face whenever she looked at him. Disgust and hatred, pure and simple. And what else was to be expected from a rebel?

He rounded the corner to the back of the building just as she reached the stairs of the fire escape. She was jumping, trying to reach the ladder as he approached her.

“Let me,” he said.

She gasped in surprise, before collecting herself. “I can manage on my own,” she said.

“Fine.” He stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest. She just stood there, staring at him. He waved his hands at the ladder above them. “Go on then.”

She huffed a breath before turning back to the stairs.

“What's your name?” he asked.

She jumped again and again, reaching her long arms up, missing by inches. She was tall for a girl, but not tall enough. Stubborn, he thought with a private smile.

Finally, after three more attempts, she stopped, hands on her hips, head down. He watched her take a deep breath before looking up at him. Ludwig raised both eyebrows, waiting.

“Lake,” she said. “My name is Lake. And I need your help.”

If laughing wouldn't have further pissed her off, he would have done it. Instead, he bit back his amusement and simply smiled.

“See? That wasn't so hard, was it?”

Walking over, he judged the distance and figured he'd be able to grab hold of the last step and pull himself up. Or pull the ladder down, whichever happened first. Rubbing his palms together, he took a running jump and missed, landing on his hunches. His hands scraped across the pavement as he caught himself.

He heard Lake chuckle behind him. Face burning, he took another go, this time grabbing hold with one hand. He dangled there for a moment before swinging up his other hand. The ladder groaned loudly, the rust accumulated from years of disuse preventing it from budging. Hoisting himself up, he was suddenly thankful for all the times Roman had insisted he keep up with his own work outs.

The metal screeched loudly as he managed to lower it. He looked around, certain one of the men Lottey had sensed inside would hear, but thankfully no one came running.

In the next instant Lake was climbing up to stand beside him.

“Good work,” she said - he was sure reluctantly.

Gesturing to the stairs, he said, “ladies first.”

Lake moved quietly, her steps light and sure, something he knew probably came in handy being a rebel. They reached the roof in silence, moving as though they'd done this sort of thing together before. It made him realize just how little he connected with people. He had no relationships with any familiarity, except for Roman and Lottey. And now they were on opposing teams.

Pushing back the feelings overwhelming him, he walked over to the skylight that, sure enough, sat in the middle of the massive roof. How had he never noticed it before when he’d be inside? Lake stood on the other side as they both looked down at the scene below.

Ludwig took it all in, something ugly and rotten filling his gut as he did. Instantly he picked out the person he had expected to see, and his anger burned hot.

“Mother-fucker,” he whispered.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

They were brought to an office that was far more extravagant than the room they'd been in before. Book cases covered three walls, surrounding a large oak desk flanked by three leather chairs. It had that masculine feel about it that told Trent this had to be Bastian's main office. If the man was planning on killing them all, he doubted it would be done here. Given that, Trent thought the leader of this place had something else in mind. He just couldn't figure out what.

Phoenix and Missy took the two chairs that sat in front of the desk, after the men insisted. Trent stood against the only empty wall with Tyler as his brother leisurely scanned the spines of the books. He stopped beside the desk, looking down at a small, ornate chessboard set up there, a small smile lifting his lips.

Trent could remember his brother learning to play from one of their old neighbours, Mr. Samson. He'd been the only man when they were younger who could actually get Garrett to sit down long enough to do something as focused as chess. When the city was divided though, Mr. Samson had been taken to the Upper section. Trent had no idea what happened to him after that.

“This is torture,” Phoenix complained, kicking her feet up on the desk.

“Not quite,” Garrett replied.

“I hate waiting around,” she continued.

“The more we wait, the longer we're alive,” Trent pointed out. “I wouldn't complain.”

She didn't bother looking at him, just huffed like insolent child. He was getting sick of all the waiting too. Mostly he was just beat. His face and shoulder hurt from the fight, and he felt like he'd been up for days. The thought of going back to the thin cot in his cell was actually appealing at this point. It was why he’d insisted on standing. He was afraid that if he sat down in one of those chairs, he'd crash, despite the adrenaline still pumping through him.

The door beside him opened, and in spite of not knowing what it would bring, relief washed over him. Bastian walked in first, followed by Pixie of all people.

Phoenix jumped out of her chair when she saw her, and Trent could see some of the stress leave her at seeing her friend was okay.

“Good evening, or morning I suppose,” Bastian said, walking around to the other side of the desk. Pixie gave Phoenix a nod to whatever silent exchange went between them as she followed Bastian to stand beside him.