I'll be the Bad Guy

Chapter 17: Nobody Knows

Its late at night when I shoot up from my bed, huffing from a nightmare. I've fallen asleep in nothing but my bra and underwear, shivering. I get up to put some more clothes on when I realize I know why the mountain is fighting with the grounders.

They need protective suits for a reason. They wouldn't get themselves killed in meaningless war if they didn't have a motive. What do we have, that they don't? Are they protecting anything- no. We aren't invading their home.

Throwing an oversized shirt on over my bra and underwear, I hurdle out of my tent. The air is as cold as ever, still drizzling. Its pitch black and there isn't a person in site except for the guards standing around the Commanders tent.

I approach them and they block my path inside with their spears.

"Let me in please. It's important." I beg.

"These are the Commander's private chambers." One explains.

"I know. I need to speak to her. Its urgent."

"No. You may address her tomorrow in her throne room."

I roll my eyes and walk away, back into my tent to plan.

Finally, the guards leave to alert the next shift and I make my way to the tent flap quickly.

I assumed Lexa would be asleep by now, but I'm surprised when I blink black the sharp exposure to candlelight.

I squint my eyes and make out 2 women holding long weapons towards me, drinks in each of their other hands.

"Clarke?" The Commander questions, surprised to see me. She lowers her weapon. The other woman holds hers up still.

"Anya." Lexa instructs, prompting her to lower her weapon as well.

The Commander is dressed in a long black, silk nightgown with a high slit in the legs. Her shoulders are exposed by the spaghetti straps and her hair is elegantly draped across her back. Its long, brown, and shiny.

Anya looks different as well. Her lean structure is obvious in her nightgown. I suddenly realize that I'm not wearing pants, only a large shirt over my undergarments. Anya stares at my bare legs, looking disgusted and utterly confused.

Breaking the uncomfortable tension, I speak up.

"Sorry, am I interrupting something?" I hesitantly ask, fracturing my vision between their nightgowns, drinks, and the bed Lexa sits on now.

"No." Anya rolls her eyes.

"I know why the mountain men are taking your people." I smile proudly, turning to Lexa first.

The Commander and Anya both look to each other, eyebrows raised.

"Explain." Lexa hisses.

"The reason they can't come outside without suits is to protect them from radiation. They'll die if not, but we obviously don't."

Anya takes a long sip from her glass.

"They've been attacking your people through the reapers. They turn your strongest warriors into reapers to keep you out of their tunnels while they take the weak and drain their blood."

"Why would they do that?" Lexa questions.

"They're giving their people blood transfusions so they can become immune to the radiation like we are. You said they're technologically advanced, right? They could easily do this. Hell- I could do this. It's simple." I realize, beaming with pride. Anya shifts uncomfortably in her seat, taking another sip from her drink.

"I'm going to sleep. nou ge gon loud nat." [Don't be too loud tonight.] Anya sighs, as she winks towards the Commander who blushes but still gives her a glare that would make the strongest warrior retreat.