Page 57 of Consumed By Fire
His, but in what capacity?
Prisoner?
Lover? Friend?
Enemy?
I don’t know what to believe anymore. I don’t know which way is up or who to trust. There is a knock at the door, and a big male opens it, standing in the doorway. I recognize him. I’ve seen him before.
“Hi! Mind if I come in?” Before I can agree, he walks in, closing the door behind him. “I’m Dagger; we met the other day.” He half-smiles, but it doesn’t hold much humor. “Shadow sent me to talk with you. We don’t have much time, so I am going to make it quick.”
“Where is Octane?”
“In a meeting with Shadow. He’s in huge trouble. Deep, deeeeep shit.” The male is in a full leather uniform. I’ve seen the guys in them before. The guards wear them as well.
“What did you want to talk about?” I fold my arms across my chest. “Why the urgency?” I don’t like it.
Divide and conquer. They’re doing it to us now. I’m not stupid.
“Shadow sent me to offer you a one-time deal.”
“I’m all ears,” I deadpan.
“There is a helicopter being fueled as we speak. Come with me now, and I’ll escort you anywhere on the island, essentially assisting you wherever possible in an escape. I will drop you off. It will be up to you to make your way off the island. There are two caveats to this offer. It has to be right now. You have five minutes to decide if you are in or out. And then, you need to leave Draig and return to Mistveil. If we find you on our soil, we will turn you in to HQ, which would surely spell your death. If you are taken down by our frontline, we will deny having any knowledge of your existence.” He presses a button on his watch, which beeps. “Your five minutes start now.”
“Why would I agree to this? Where is Octane? He doesn’t know about this offer, does he?”
“No, he doesn’t. As I said, Octane is in huge shit. He has enough to deal with right now without having to worry about you.”
“Huge shit…” I nod a few times. “So, you said.” I narrow my eyes. “Back to my first question. Why on earth would I agree to this?”
“I thought you’d jump at the chance to escape. Octane doesn’t know about the offer because I don’t think he would agree to it at all. In fact, I think he plans on keeping you or trying to, at any rate. You realize that it isn’t possible. The two of you can’t possibly be together.”
“You’re wrong. He doesn’t plan on keeping me at all. That would be crazy.” I snort, but my heart races at Dagger’s words. I like the idea of Octane wanting me…wanting us. I have to stop myself from putting a hand to my belly. “Besides, you heard Shadow; she instructed him to get friendly with me so that he could milk me for information. That’s all it was to Octane.” Even as I say the words, I struggle to believe them to be true. It isn’t him at all. Octane wouldn’t do that. At least, I don’t think he would.
Dagger snorts. “You’re wrong. I’ve known Octane for a long time…he’s sweet on you, Red. You need to do what’s right for the both of you and leave now while you are being offered an out. And while you can still leave. It’s going to get tougher…not just to leave, but to stay. You don’t belong here. Just like he doesn’t belong on Mistveil soil. I’m sorry, but this is for the best. You need to think of your baby. Know that if you stay, it will end in disaster. You will end up dead. Octane would end up in trouble he won’t be able to get out of. He could be jailed for this. They will throw away the key. If you care anything for him, then get up right now and follow me.” His icy blue gaze bores into me. His frown is deep, with his brows drawing together. “Please…it would be the right thing to do.” His watch alarm goes off, and he silences it. “My friend is a good judge of character, so I’m hoping you’ll make the right decision. Do the right thing, if not for him, then for yourself…for your unborn child. Go back to where you belong before it’s too late.”
I look at him. My mind is going about a mile a minute.
“What will it be, Red? Yes or no?” Dagger asks, his eyes narrowing.
18
Octane
“You’ve said your piece. You gave me until tomorrow. We’ll talk again then,” I say.
“Dammit, Octane! I can see that I’m not getting through to you. How can I be any clearer? The Red needs to leave. She needs to go back to her own kind. This needs to end right now!”
“Oh, you’ve made your feelings crystal clear. I assure you.”
“Only you’re not listening to me. You cannot keep the Red. She can’t stay here. You’re putting her in grave danger. If you care anything for her, even a little bit, you’ll say your goodbyes and let her go. She will die if she stays. Surely you must know that?”
“I will protect her,” I snarl. Then I narrow my eyes, fisting my hands. “Unless one of you plans on outing us. Are you going to tell HQ? Will you—” I start to say through gritted teeth.
“It won’t be anything I do…or anyone else here at camp, but you will be found out. HQ could send someone. The patrols sometimes come around here. We are not in a vacuum.”
“I will hide her—”