Chapter 160: Grace
I closed my eyes and forced myself to breathe, but as quietly as I could. Oh goddess, this was not good, not good at all.
“You’re fine.” The little voice I was beginning to become accustomed to said. “Shut up and listen.”
I took a shaky breath, and peaked through the brush, hoping it covered me enough to keep me hidden. This part of the forest was thick. I wouldn’t want to be here alone. I honestly wasn’t sure I wanted to be here at all. I also knew I would have to answer to Rhys later, and I was sure he was not going to be happy.
“N-No sir.” Michael stuttered, his blond hair looking much darker in the low light of the forest. His stuttering also took me by surprise. He always seemed so calm, cool and collected.
“Hmmpf.” The grey-haired man huffed.
Whoever he was, I didn’t want him anywhere near me. Something about him gave me a terrible feeling.
Michael said nothing. I had always just thought he was a quiet kid, but he seemed to have been taught the same lesson I had; that quiet caused less trouble.
“Any new information?” The man interrogated.
“Not hardly since the last time you called for me.” Michael said sarcastically.
Goddess, I would have never dreamed of talking to a superior like that. I would have been beaten without a second thought. And right on cue, Michael was slapped by the grey-haired man.
“Surely there is information to share!” The man tried angrily.
“All the meetings this week have been about the Luna Ceremony and placing the kids from the programs into school, homes and training. Making it harder for you to start trying to take them back.” Michael responded with no regard for his tone.
“Hmm. The Luna Ceremony?” The man asked with intrigue, focusing on the part that he seemed to accept as an answer. “Do they have a date?”
“Yes.” Michael responded flatly, his arms crossed across his chest.
“Well, what is it?!” The man shouted at him.
My heart sank. We had picked the date to be in about a month... We would get married the week before Christmas and then the Luna Ceremony would be during the time between Christmas and New Years. Rhys wanted it to be like a month long of celebrations and then come January we would be ready to travel and see our allies and enemies, setting ourselves up, so we would be able to attack.
“February 5th.” Michael responded without hesitation.
For a moment, I almost believed him. For a moment, my heart couldn’t believe he would just give away some of the secrets from our meetings so thoughtlessly. It took a moment for the truth to dawn on me... He lied to this man... He lied with a straight face... But why?
“Good work, son!” The older man exclaimed, hitting Michael’s shoulder in excitement. “We can use that information going forward!”
Michael nodded, but he looked anything but happy, in fact he looked kinda sick.
“I kept my side of the bargain,” Michael stated firmly. “Now it’s your turn.”
“Ah yes, you’re siblings. Iris is fine. Mark and Aaron are fine. They are thriving in the Program, the same way you did. Claire, however, is struggling a little. She’s just taking a little more time to adjust.” The man said casually.
I watched Michael’s face pale, even in the low light, I could tell that what was said, was not expected.
“You promised that Claire would not enter the program.” His voice shook as he struggled to fight for control of it.
“Well, I know, but the price they offered for her was just too good to pass up. You understand, right? She was such a powerful young girl.”
My heart hammered in my chest so loud that I was sure that they could hear it. Michael was trying to keep his cool, but I could see the pain in his features.
“Yes, I understand, sir,” The words were bit out like they were bitter. Like he hated everything about not just the man in front of him, but himself too.
“Good.” The man answered with a satisfied smirk. “Now, you’ll drop these at the front door of the packhouse. Make sure no one sees you. I’ll keep your siblings as safe as I can.”
Michael nodded, but I knew he didn’t believe a word of it. I mean, it was clear that this was a manipulation tactic by the older man, but I understood. I had played the game even longer than Michael. I had only had to take care of myself, but Michael, he was trying to protect his siblings who were no longer under his protection. That meant the stakes were even higher. That meant, unfortunately, I understood why we were here.
The man gave Michael a pat on the cheek and started to walk away. “I’ll meet you back here in a week. Please do bring more information. “And an invite to the Luna ceremony would be lovely.”
Michael nodded, but the guy was no longer facing him. Michael stared after him from a while before turning to head home. I stood up from my spot and crossed my arms.
Michael sucked in a sharp breath when he saw me. I quickly ducked behind a tree, more than a little aware that there was a good chance that the other guy had heard Michal gasp. Michael kept walking, and when I felt that coast was clear, I followed him.
We were nearly out of the tree line when I grabbed at his wrist.
“We need to talk.” I told him seriously.
“What is there to say?” Michael said bitterly. “You’re going to go right back and tell Rhys that I’m a spy, and then I’ll be dead.”
“I’m not going to tell Rhys.”
“What?”
“At least not until I have all the information.” I answered tiredly. And it was true, I wouldn’t tell Rhys a word until I could defend the kid. “Who was that man?”
“He’s my dad.” His voice broke, and so did my heart for him.