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The dagger twists. “I didn’t mean to make him think I hated him! I was confused.”
“I know, and I don’t blame you. This is your one chance to make it right, and I want to help you do that. Will you come with me?”
The thought of Alistair alone, hating himself, makes me sick with worry.
I nod. “I’ll go.”
He exhales in relief. “Meet me at the back of the barn in twenty. There’s an exit not many know about.”
I give a curt nod, then rush to my room to get on clothes suitable for venturing through the apocalyptic streets of the city.
When I arrive back at the barn, I find Caspian standing in front of a mobile dumpster, a Cheshire grin on his face.
“What’s that for?”
“Get in.”
The worst thing that’s ever happened to me was watching my mother get mauled by ragers.
The second worst thing was being sold by my father.
The third—worrying about my sister for months on end.
Alienating Alistair, fourth.
Riding in a garbage-filled dumpster is definitely not in the top four worst things I’ve been through, but I’m pretty sure it’s in the top ten.
While the Keep is self-sustaining, Cole decided that some trash is better left to rot somewhere else rather than having our machines process it, and it’s typically one of the Keepers that takes it out. Because all the Kept women are unaware of this protocol, and they’re mostly happy anyway, no one ever checks the trash.
Thankfully, Caspian made sure nothing gross was in the bin.
As I’m rolled from the Keep, through the streets, I think of all the things I’m going to tell Alistair when I see him. I’ll start by saying, “I’m sorry,” and then I’ll show him I mean it.
The bin halts, and the top opens.
“You’re going to have to walk a bit,” Caspian says, offering me his hand.
I allow him to help me out, and we continue on foot.
I’d almost forgotten how eerie it is to see the city in shambles. Weeds grow where they ought not to, and glass litters the sidewalk. It’s like being inside a movie.
More than once, we happen upon a rager and Caspian makes quick work of them, slicing off their heads.
“How much farther do we have to go?” I ask after we’ve traveled for more than an hour.
He lifts the shield on his helmet and offers me his typical cocksure grin. “It won’t be long until you’re reunited with Ali.”
A rager races out of an alley, coming straight towards me. I put up my arms, but just as it’s about to strike, Caspian steps between us and decapitates it.
I’ve made a mistake. I shouldn’t be out here.
My heart races in my chest. I back away, looking around for hidden dangers. The street is empty, but that hardly makes me feel safe.
I can’t believe I was stupid enough to leave the Keep.
“Britney,” Caspian says.
“I…I need to get back.”
