Page 14

I heard John’s voice in my head: Yeah, the revolt’s a real mystery, you fucking sociopath. The corners of my mouth twitched at the thought, but my heart also ached with missing him. If he was here, we’d make a plan to get out of this. He’d know what to do.

But I was alone, and I had no idea how I’d escape whatever was coming. I was trapped, with nothing to do but listen to this awful man detail the horrors he’d inflicted on his own people.

“Since then, they’ve conducted raids, sabotaged supply lines, and stolen weapons. And they spread the rumour that the Sole Survivor didn’t really exist, that it was a campaign to manipulate the masses into submission.”

I laughed—a bitter, angry sound that broke my façade of calm. “Rumour? It was the truth.”

Julius sat back in his chair, evaluating me with cold eyes. “These rebels see themselves as freedom fighters, but all they’re doing is hastening the Order’s conquest over the Delta. Our entire way of life is at stake, Claire. In war, the truth doesn’t matter. Only strength does.”

His words chilled me to the bone. For a moment, we simply stared at one another, and I felt as though he saw right through me with his frank, unfeeling gaze. There was nothing behind his eyes, and it prickled the hairs on the back of my neck.

“So, I’m here because they called your bluff,” I finally said. “I’m here because once you found out I was alive, you knew you could use me. Again.”

I knew I’d gotten it right by the way his lips curled into a small, cruel smile.

“Use is such a dirty word. If you take on the role of the Sole Survivor and help us quell this little rebellion, you would be compensated handsomely. You’d live inside the walls again, with luxurious living quarters and a virtually bottomless expense account. You’d have access to cutting-edge technology and medicine. Tell me that isn’t a tempting offer after whatever disgusting hole you made your home in, among Wastelanders.”

He said Wastelanders with such contempt that I felt a surge of protectiveness for all the people I loved outside these walls, people who were so much more than this empty suit of a man could ever have dreamt of. Good, resilient, hardworking people who actually contributed to their community, unlike this empty suit of a man who lorded over his subjects.

Clearly undeterred by my silence, Julius said, “I rather think your father would have been proud of you, protecting the rare peace we’ve created in the compounds. Preserving our heritage, the best of humanity.”

The mention of my father turned my blood to ice in my veins.

“Then you obviously never met him,” I bit back.

Julius stood and walked to the strange hologram window, peering out as though it were real, his hands clasped behind his back.

“On the contrary, I did,” he said mildly. “Major-General Ainsley was a loyal soldier and a gifted military leader. His death was regrettable.”

My heart started pounding in my ears again. “What?”

He turned his head to give me that same cruel smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know how your father died, Claire? Aid us in our purposes, and I’ll be happy to share what I know.”

An obvious bribe. His eyes twinkled with malicious knowledge.

He doesn’t know anything, I tried to tell myself, but the trouble was that I didn’t believe it. If Julius was who he claimed, then he had to know the truth. But the truth didn’t matter to this man. He’d said it himself, and I had no illusions that he’d be forthcoming with the answers I’d wanted for half my life, no matter what I did for him.

“Tempting,” I replied coldly, “but no, thank you. I have no interest in being your Sole Survivor.” I couldn’t keep the distaste out of my voice. “I’d rather return to the Wasteland.”

There was a long, protracted silence, where Julius stared at me as though I’d declared that I’d prefer to be dipped in a vat of acid.

“You still wear your husband’s ring,” he said at last, nodding at my left hand. “Does his death not move you to take action against his killers?”

I forced down a choking sound at his words. It took me a second to understand that the husband he was talking about was Neil. That was the safest assumption for him to make, so I didn’t contradict him.

“I have no desire to be your puppet,” I told him, my voice more edged and ragged than I’d hoped. Images of John swirled in my mind, and I set my jaw in defiance. “My husband would never want me to be a prop in this sick side show you’ve created. So, return me to the Wasteland if you must, but I won’t do it.”

There was another heavy silence. Then, “As you wish. We’ll do this your way.”

I balked at him. Could it really be that easy?

“You clearly need some time to think it over carefully,” Julius continued. He leaned down and pressed a hidden button on the inside of his desk. “I would’ve preferred otherwise, but I understand.”

I jumped at the loud pounding on the office door. Julius barked at whoever it was to enter, and the three armed guards I’d seen in the lobby filled the sitting area.

“Thank you,” Julius said to them, resuming his usual cool, polite tone. “Please ensure that Ms. Ainsley is delivered to the White Room as quickly as possible. Give special instructions that she is not to be disturbed until an agreement is reached.”

My heart started pounding, and I instinctively jumped to my feet. What I was planning to do, unarmed and facing three men twice my size, I didn’t know, but living in the Wasteland had trained me never to just lie down and accept my fate.