Crux Year

Chapter Nineteen - Royal

"Babe," Oliver calls out from the top of the stairs, "we've got visitors."

Spencer's back goes rigid. "Quick. Distract them while I get her to the incinerator."

Shay jerks from my arms to make his way to the stairwell. Spencer scoops up Caroline and then hurries down a hallway. I follow after Shay up the stairs. When we reach the top, Oliver is in a tense discussion with an armed Rock City guard.

"An eye-witness says they saw a few of the outsiders come into this lab." The guard flits his stare over to me and Shay, quickly assessing we're not a threat before his attention is back on Oliver. "Where are they?"

"Gone," Oliver states in a firm tone. "They left a short bit ago."

"And you didn't do your civic duty to try and stop them?" the guard demands, taking a threatening step toward Oliver.

Not backing down, Oliver glowers at him. "With the area unsecured, we felt it was best to keep the boys safe here until the breach had been contained."

The guard whistles at one of his men to approach. Still, Oliver doesn't move. Shay trembles and I have the overwhelming urge to take his hand in mine. But, if we plan to take down the corrupt leaders in our city, I can't blow it on the first day by showing my hand. Literally. Inside someone else's hand who isn't my match.

Another guard rushes into the building. "Incinerator is going. They're burning something."

"Move," the first guard growls, storming past us to go down the stairs.

The second guard shoves Oliver. "Everyone is taking a trip down there. Together. Let's go."

Oliver gives me and Shay a quick, reassuring nod. We follow in step behind him with more guards blocking us in behind. The thundering of our feet on the stairs will hopefully give Spencer enough warning.

Once we reach the bottom, the first guard stalks down the corridor, stopping at the lab room where only minutes ago there was a body—a female.

"There's blood everywhere," the first guard barks out. "What happened?"

"One of their...men...was injured," Oliver explains. "They tried and failed to save him. It was a gory mess."

"What's the rush to incinerate the trespasser then?"

Shay's fingers brush against mine. The air is thick with tension. No one speaks or breathes. Finally, Oliver clears his throat to speak, but Spencer's voice cuts him off.

"Multiple reasons, sir," Spencer says in a bored tone. "Mainly because we don't know what sort of infectious diseases those on the outside are carrying. Secondly, with the power out to the refrigeration units, it would only be a matter of time before the body began to decompose and stink. The generator powers the incinerator. It was common sense to dispose of the body as quickly as possible."

One of the guards behind us snorts out a sound of disbelief. "You believe that Brady?"

The first guard, or Brady, walks over to Spencer. "Not for a second."

"It's the truth," I pipe up. "Does my dad know you're harassing us?"

Brady snaps his head my way. "Who's your father?"

"Councilman Vince Ever."

"Councilman Vince Ever is your father," Brady mutters, eyes widening. "He's looking for you, you know?"

"I imagine he is," I say smoothly. "It was terrifying with bombs going off. We took off to seek shelter. Ran into the trespassers along the way."

"You'll need to come with us." Brady starts for me but Oliver steps in his way.