Cloaked Heart (Silent Moments Series: Book 3)

Chapter 32

As the rover hummed to a stop on the outskirts of Polis, I cautioned everyone. "There it is. We stop here." The dangers of approaching any closer were too high. The goal was stealth, and arriving in a conspicuous vehicle would undermine that entirely.

Roan began outlining the plan. "Alright. This is where we split up. The entrance to the tunnel is right over there," he said, gesturing towards a discreet location.

Bellamy, his patience wearing thin, cut him off. "Yeah. We know where it is," he snapped, his tone laced with tension.

The moment of truth arrived when Roan turned to me. "I'm gonna need the Flame." He could see my hesitation, the reluctance written clearly on my face. "Look, this only works if they send Ontari out to get it. If they don't see it, they won't do that. It's not much of a trap without the bait."

After a moment's pause, I nodded and slowly handed over the Flame, feeling a pang of loss. It wasn't just a device; it was the last connection I had to Lexa.

"Fine... but I'm coming with you," I insisted, determined to keep the Flame within reach.

Bellamy was quick to object. "No way. That is not the plan," he said firmly.

"It is now. I'm not letting that out of my sight. I'm the only one who knows the passphrase, so you can tell them that. Without me, Ontari can't ascend," I reasoned, hoping he would understand the necessity of my presence.

Roan, acknowledging the change in plans, conceded with a sigh. "You'll need to look like my prisoner," he said, his voice carrying a note of resignation.

"Okay," I agreed, prepared to do whatever it took to see our plan through.

Bellamy pulled me aside, his concern evident. "Wait a second. Give us a minute. Come on, Kegan. You're really willing to trust that guy with your life?" he asked, his eyes searching mine for reassurance.

I understood Bellamy's apprehension; he was family, and our bond, though often tested, was founded on mutual trust and concern. "No... but you'll be covering us the entire time, and I trust you," I said, hoping to alleviate his fears.

As Roan and I made our way into the city, my hands were bound behind my back, a gag muffling my voice. Roan's voice was low but clear. "Your friend better be in position," he growled. "When this is over, Ontari will know you helped her. You have my word."

The streets of Polis were eerily quiet, contrary to our expectations. "So much for the thousands of people," Roan mumbled as we assumed our position.

Taking a deep breath, he proclaimed, "I am Roan, King of Azgeda... and I have what the Commander seeks. I don't like what I'm sensing, so if she wants it, she can come to me."

Instead of Ontari, Thelonius Jaha emerged, his presence a bad omen. "Hello, Kegan. Your mother will be so pleased to see you."

Roan, unfazed, demanded, "Who are you? Where's Ontari?"

"Not coming out. But you can give the Flame to me. I'll be sure she gets it," Jaha revealed, his tone ominous. "Your friends in the tunnel can't help you. Now give me the Flame."

In a swift, unexpected movement, Roan stepped back, pressing his sword to my throat, a strategic maneuver to gain leverage. The tension spiked, the air thick with the imminent threat of violence, our plan teetering on the edge of disaster.

Roan's voice was steady, imbued with a commanding authority. "Back up or he dies," he declared, the steel of his sword pressed firmly against my throat, a dangerous gamble in our high-stakes standoff.

Jaha, however, remained unnervingly calm, his smirk chilling in its confidence. "Save the theatrics. We know you're together. We know everything," he taunted, his eyes gleaming with a knowing malice.