Author: Jennifer Wilson
Category: Young Adult
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THE LARGE ROOM felt over-crowded with so many bodies in it. There were not as many gathered as the day of my trial, but there were still too many to feel comfortable. Bodies jostled each other to gain better vantage points around the round table. I was the only one they did not bump into, a wide berth continuously given to me.
I stood behind Triven, who was seated in a chair directly across from Arstid’s icy eyes. Her face tightened every time she glanced our way.
It was easy to ascertain that those seated held higher rank. Theirs were the voices that were heard above others, their opinions weighed heavier. I recognized many of these faces as ones I had seen in the training room. The lean, one-armed Archer sat to the left of Arstid, her gaze nearly as cold. Arden was also seated at the table speaking in hushed tones to Veyron. To my disgust, Maddox was also seated at the table, the look in his black eyes hungry as they fell on me. I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat and ignored him.
Arstid’s hand raised, signaling for silence. “Where are we on the reconnaissance front?”
Archer was the first to speak. “The city is restless. Tribe violence is escalating and the Ravagers are at the heart of it. They have managed to get their hands on more weapons and based on the caliber, they are not acquiring them on their own. Someone is helping them. We fear your suspicions were right and that they are working with The Sanctuary.”
The room erupted into upheaval at this. There were only three of us who looked unfazed by this news— Triven, Arstid and myself. Her eyes locked on mine as she raised her hand again. Heads swiveled towards me, following her gaze, but she addressed the bald man to her right.
“Have we learned where the exchanges are happening?”
He shook his head. “We have suspicions about their ammunitions warehouse in the lower district. The area is heavily guarded and it seems the most logical place to hide a breach of the wall. We cannot get close on foot, but a team is scheduled to do surveillance from the rooftops at the end of the week. Archer has informed us there is still a building on the fifth block with a scalable drainage pipe—”
“I highly doubt that.” The words left my mouth without my full consent.
Archer’s glare turned on me. “Are you saying I’m a liar?”
I crossed my arms, returning her stare. “The beige building on the left side of Shaker Street. It’s been nearly what? Two months since you investigated that location?”
Her eyes narrowed, confirming my suspicions.
“There is no longer rooftop access there.” I smiled at her.
“And how would a pitiless little recluse like you know that?”
“Because I am the one who disabled it.” Every eye in the room was now on me.
It was one of the last things I had done before my capture. On a routine check of my accesses I had noticed a scrap of clothing snagged on a loose screw and knew someone had found my access point. I dismantled the pipe that same day.
Recognition sparked in the bald man’s eyes. “You’re the one who has cut off all roof access throughout the city.”
“Not all of it.” I shrugged with nonchalance, but knew I had found my golden ticket. No one knew the city’s skylines like I did and if they wanted access they were going to need me. The scowl on Arstid’s face proved it.
Murmurs began spreading through the room. Everyone was now looking at me with a newfound admiration, even Maddox. The only person stoically unchanged was Triven.
“I always assumed it was a man...”
“I thought it was the Ravagers trying to keep us grounded…”
“She must be lying…”
Apparently I had not been as invisible as I had thought. It seems my legend had preceded me.
Arstid spoke above the rumblings, her face reddening. “If you truly know where the accesses are, you are required to tell us—”
“I am not required to tell you anything,” I cut her off. There was a collective intake of breath around the room. “But as a sign of good faith I will lead your teams to the access points they seek.”
Arstid’s taut mouth opened, but it was Triven who spoke first. “I motion to second that proposition.”
Several people shouted “Aye” in response. It surprised me that Archer was one of them.