Republic of Omisha

Chapter 40: Clay

  She may not here it in her words, but Clay does. Hopefully he's the only one that hears her change in allegiance. She starts out including herself with the rebellion, but than she changes to say that she's working with her uncle as she pleads for the rebels to join like she is no longer a part of that group.

Eliza continues. "I know it won't be easy. You have had your differences in the past. You have different views, but differences aside, we can save everyone... if we just work together." As she spoke her tone became tender yet strong, not revealing how vulnerable she feels.

A few shouts in agreement arise from the crowd. Then the unthinkable happens. As convincing as her speech was, it only took one person to start the fight. One person to speak out about how much he hates her uncle. One person to send the crowd into a heated argument.

Three men charge toward Eliza. Clay steps between them and her. He doesn't even see the blow until a fist collides with the left side of his face. He stagers, but doesn't fall. He feels his face heating up as swelling begins to set in.

He stands his ground and begins to fight back. Soon the whole crowd steps in.

Within minutes the three men give up, bruised and out numbered. One man lay unconscious, another is held in a headlock, and the third is held by two other men, one holding each arm.

Eliza approaches the men. The one being restrained by his arms speaks up. "You know, the rest of the rebels hold you in high esteem because of hoe fierce and loyal your Mother and sister were, but not me. I see you for how you truly are. Diseased. You are a wicked child as conniving as your despicable uncle." On top of that he spits at her shoes.

Fear prickles in the back of Clay's mind as he watches Eliza. He has no idea what she will do. Normally she is easy to read, but she looks cold and calculated. He can see the fury turning behind her amber eyes.

She exhales, clenches her jaw, and in one swift movement, she raises her right fist and punches him square on the nose. A crunching sound echoes through the room as his nose snaps and he falls limp.

The men that held him release him, letting him drop to the floor. He lies there motionless, but alive.

Eliza turns around, flipping her hair. She walks a small circle in the center of the crowd. She keeps her expression solemn.

She barks, "anyone else have anything to say to me?"

Silence envelops the crowd.

"Good. Then I'll tell Liam you're on board." She turns and marches to the door. The crowd parts in front of her.

They're not scared of her. They just respect her, which is good. That's what she wants.

It scares Clay how much control she has of her anger. It's good that it no longer dictates what she does, but the precision that she now has with it fueling her every move has made her deadly.

Helena opens a large hangar door. The crowd emerges from the hold and enter the campus filing through two rows of guards preventing the rebels from escaping.

Eliza leads the procession with Clay close behind. The three opposing men are put in holding cells and the rebels are kept in the dorms. Clay follows Eliza at a lose follow to Liam's office.

When they enter Eliza doesn't sit. Clay sees a new spark in her eyes.

"I want Valerie here." She demands.

Liam replies, "but she's-"

"Make it happen."

He nods.

The way she speaks, distant yet in control, it's unnerving. It reminds Clay of how Liam sounds. She's broken. This is a result of grief. He wants to hold her. He wants to comfort her.

Minutes later Helena enters pushing Valerie in a wheelchair.