The Year 3000

Chapter 11: Kidnappings

Luke's POV

[Right after Scarlett called for Harry]

For some reason, I couldn't force myself to go back to the camp. I clung to the ladder, holding my breath as Harry came into the room. He seemed to be in a good mood, which stunned me, but I was grateful that for the moment, at least, he seemed to be treating Scarlett with his own form of kindness. When I heard them leave for dinner, I soundlessly climbed out of the tunnel and into King Harry's closet. I just needed to make sure for myself that Scarlett was okay. I went over to the glass balcony overlooking the gardens, careful to stay out of sight. Even from here I could see the table he had set up. It was small, but I had excellent sight. They seemed to have a peaceful dinner, before taking a stroll around the gardens.

So far, so good.

Scarlett suddenly stopped and looked up at Harry. The hope that had bubbled up in my chest quickly dwindled to fear as he strode over to her, closing the distance between them. I thought he would strike her, but he didn't.

Not even close.

He grabbed her cheek, leaned down to meet her awaiting lips, and kissed her. I froze in shock, but not from Harry's kiss—anyone could tell that he cared for her from the way he talked to her, to the dinner he had set up—no, what made my blood freeze was the fact that Scarlett kissed him back.

My thoughts immediately flashed back to her first night at my camp, when she woke screaming from a nightmare about him and all he had done to her.

I knew she would never kiss Harry back willingly.

Willingly.

I felt bile rise in my throat. Oh God, the rumors were true. Harry's gift of compulsion. It was real. He could do whatever he wanted to Scarlett whenever he wanted. We couldn't wait until we had the serum to get Scarlett out; we had to get her out now before Harry did irreparable damage. The entire journey back to camp, my thoughts were flooded with images of Harry doing just that.

Of course, Mark was waiting for me when I got back. His expression was murderous.

"Do you know I can have you locked up for this? Or worse, banished?" he thundered, his entire figure shaking with rage.

"The rumors are true," I stated flatly, feeling my chest constrict as the words echoed through the corridor. Mark paused, a scowl still printed in his features.

"What do you mean? What rumors?" he asked cautiously. I looked up at him.

"Harry really does have the gift of compulsion." His face paled, eyebrows shooting up. "Mark, please, we have to get Scarlett out of there!" I begged. Mark just turned away from me slightly, his head bent in concentration as he disgusted this new information. Several minutes passed before he spoke up again.

"This doesn't change anything. We still need to recreate the serum before we can rescue her."

My mouth fell open. "We can't just leave her there with that monster! What happened to we protect our own?" I demanded in fury. Mark's eyes were ablaze as he whipped back around to face me.

"Yes, and that's exactly what I'm doing by not getting this entire camp killed for some girl!" he shouted. "We need to wait until we have the tools to fight back before we start a war, Luke."

I grit my teeth.

"Sir, she knows about the serum. It's only a matter of time before Harry uses his gift and forces the information out of her," I lied through my teeth. Mark cursed loudly, kicking the wall nearest to him.