KING OF HEARTS and QUEEN OF SPADES

CHAPTER VI. WATER, ASH AND DEMONS

- I want three teams in this operation. Jasper, Monty and Maya on me. Ryder, Jaha and Russel on security details, and Jackson ... please get rid of my mother's spyware, please.

Everyone fan out as if someone just dropped a bomb in the middle of that small crowd. Clarke checked her pistols and grabbed a few extra magazines. While she was heading towards the car, she noticed a few barrels. She approached them to inspect. Monty came from behind the car with a Benelli M4 and a box of shells in his left hand.

- It's diesel fuel, I have a project with those barrels.

- I am not a chemist, Monty, but how much damage can this shit do?

- Set on fire, or as it is now?

- Does it go with a bang?

- Absolutely. Clarke, what exactly are you thinking?

- How fast can you figure out some Molotov cocktails out of it?

- Give me 10 minutes. How many are we talking?

- Enough to torch down that tool shed Octavia and Raven have.

- OK, got it.

Clarke moved to Jackson, who was typing faster than any clerk from the mayor's office. She sat next to him and lit a cigarette, handing him the pack too. He shook his head and smiled sadly at her.

- Any signs of Niylah so far?

- Last active signal from her cellphone was at the docks. Whatever they wanted from her, they made sure she won't be easy to be find.

- This is why I am paying you, Jackson. Also, find anything dark or sketchy about Octavia. I feel like she is covering something...

- Something like what, exactly, Clarke? She has some parking fines and some for going over the speed limit, but otherwise she is clean.

- It has to be something. She couldn't just climb the hierarchic ladder without doing some shady businesses. I can't quite put my finger on it, but she hides something.

- If she did or does, I will find out. I also got your mom's spy thing diverted towards something else. Hope it will work this time. You know, she really misses you and wants to talk to you; after all these years you popped out on her radar again, and even you can tell she really misses you. Have you considered stopping this and living your life?

- Jackson, this is who I am...without this, I am nobody. Besides, I really am not in the mood for family drama anytime soon. Can you find out something in particular for me?

- Yes, Clarke. What or for whom should I look for?

- Lexa Woods.

- Wait...that Lexa? Lexa Woods from high school?

- Yes. Don't make a huge deal with it. Please, just find out anything you can on her and let me know. This is a private matter and you will report only to me, understood?

- Yes ma'am. Loud and clear.

- Good talk, Jackson.

Clarke stood up and went to Monty's desk, partly because her mind went foggy again, and partly because he was almost done with those incendiaries.

Meanwhile in a hangar bay at 20km away from the city (Octavia's POV)

The smell of salty water and petrol flooded Niylah's nostril as if it was poison. The only thing she remembers is a struck with the cold grip of a gun (she could bet you $50 it was a PAMAS modèle G1) in the back of her head. She was tasting some metallic and salty stuff – must be blood from her nose or something. The cold metal on her wrists reminded her that she was tied up to a chair, probably in a room, or a contained space...her legs were sore and her skin was feeling the cold air. By the smell of the room, she could figure that the location was close to a water, most likely the ocean. The darkness in the room was painting demons in Niylah's mind. 'Is Clarke dead as well? Did she killed Octavia too? Did she shot Bellamy on purpose?'