Rebel Song (29 page)

CHAPTER 42

Rogan was so disoriented that he could never have guessed whether it was day or night. He surmised he had been locked in the room for a week, although in his daze, it could have easily been a month. A pimply guard had brought him bowls of rice and porridge with sour bread at various intervals, along with some jugs of water. He forced it all down to keep up his strength, although it all felt like ash in his belly and the water tasted like it came straight from the drain. His ribs still ached, but the pain had subsided to a dull throb. He was trying to massage away a headache from his temples when he heard the door open. He expected it to be the pimply guard with another bowl of lumpy gray mush, but he was shocked to find Markus, accompanied by two older, more sinister looking guards. Rogan shot to his feet and took a defensive stance. He guessed his time was finally up.

“Relax, Elwood,” Markus said. “I’m not here for blood.”

“What’s going on?”

“It’s lucky for you that you have powerful friends. Come with me.” The guards approached Rogan and pointed their rifles at his head. “I suggest you don’t test my patience.”

Rogan gingerly followed them out of the cell.

“What’s going on?”

“Keep your mouth shut,” Markus hissed.

With two rifles buried in his back, he followed in silence as they walked down a long corridor, then up a long staircase. His legs and abdomen burned as they climbed, each step sending stabs of pain through his beaten, fatigued body. They finally reached a room at the top of four flights of stairs.

“Go in,” Markus commanded.

Rogan gingerly opened the door and stepped into the dark room, which looked like something of a study. One of the guards flicked on the lights and he saw her on the other side of the room, staring longingly out the window.

“El!” He blurted out.

She turned toward him but didn’t run to him as he expected—only looked at him with determined eyes.

“Leave us,” she commanded his escorts sullenly.

“You have fifteen minutes. Then he has to go,” Markus said and closed the door.

Once they were alone, Rogan rushed to her, throwing his arms around her. He cupped her face and pressed his mouth to hers. She didn’t reciprocate. He pulled away and looked down at her, searching her face for answers. Her eyes were fixed on the floor. Her cheeks were flushed and black smudges smeared her bloodshot eyes where her makeup had run. She was trembling.

“Are you okay? What’s going on? Look at me.” She didn’t look at him.

“It’s over, Rogan,” she sniffed.

“What are you talking about? What’s going on? What’s over?”

“This. Us. Things have changed.”

“What’s changed?”

“The stakes are too high now.”

He wiped away a black smudge from her cheek. Her muscles tensed and composure forced its way across her face.

“We’ve always known this wouldn’t be easy. This is just a setback. We will figure this mess out.”

“Rogan, it’s not just hard. It’s impossible. I can’t protect you.”

“Protect me from what? From Pantone and his goons? From Markus Fallon?”

“From yourself! The fact stands that you are wanted as a traitor and there is nothing I can do about it. And now I am accused of treason as well.”

“What?” He inhaled sharply. “That’s insane. On what grounds?”

“For being with you,” she looked down at the floor again.

“We will fight them.”

Elyra shook her head.

“No, Rogan. We can’t. I can’t.”

“What are you saying?” Panic rose in his throat. Elyra sighed.

“That this can’t go on. I have a duty to fulfill. I was fooling myself to think that I could ever be more than I am. Fooling myself into thinking I could love you.” Her eyes were red and pained, but she remained calm.

“No, that’s not you talking. That’s them forcing your hand.”

She shook her head.

“No, Rogan. This is me. I have to walk away and you should too.”

“Walk away? I’m under arrest.”

“Markus is going to get you out of here, but you can’t stay in the city. You have to leave.”

“What? No, I won’t leave. I love you.”

“Please don’t say that,” she raised her hand. “You deserve to be with someone who can give you what you need. And I…I can’t love you back. I don’t feel that way about you anymore. There is no life for you here.”

Rogan cupped her chin and forced her to look him in the eye.

“You don’t mean that and you know it.”

She stared back at him firm and focused.

“Yes I do. There is nothing left for us. You have to leave the city and save yourself. I will protect your family, but I can’t go on like this. I have to do what’s right by
my
family. By my country.”

Shards of burning pain splintered his heart and he struggled to find enough breath to speak.

“And what does that duty entail?” Elyra lowered her eyes and didn’t answer. “Does it involve Markus?”

She raised her eyes to his and nodded slowly but firmly.

“Yes, it does. Markus is the future I need, not you. I’m sorry. This should have never happened between us. I should never have made you believe otherwise.” A thin stream trickled down her cheek.

“So you’ve made your choice, then?” His pride began to sooth the pain and he pulled away from her. She slowly nodded again.

“This is the only choice I have. And you need to accept it. Rogan, please. You have to leave the city. If you stay here, they will kill you. They will kill your family. This is the only way.”

Before he could respond, the door opened and a guard stepped in.

“It’s time,” the guard growled.

Elyra’s eyes welled with tears as she looked at him.
He knew this wasn’t her talking. She didn’t mean this.
Without a word, Rogan grabbed her face and pulled her into him, crushing her lips with his own. His hands gripped her fiery curls and he pulled her shuddering body so close he could feel her racing heart. She relented, returning his kiss with a force that stroked his very core. He pulled away and took in her image one last time before the guards seized him by the arm.

“This isn’t over,” he whispered to her as they dragged him from the room. “I will be back for you.”

CHAPTER 43

Rogan was beginning to think that Markus had indeed lied to them both, which wouldn’t have surprised him. The hours ticked by until it was certainly the dead of night and he hadn’t seen so much as fly on the wall to let him know life still flourished outside. Then he heard footsteps, cautious and careful, not the careless boots of guards. A key entered the lock and the door slowly opened. Markus stepped into the room. He was dressed in an inconspicuous long Royal Guard coat with a brown hood over his head so that his face was well hidden. At first glance, he looked like any other guard on patrol. Markus lowered the hood and stared hard at Rogan.

“Are you ready?” 

Rogan narrowed his eyes. He didn’t trust Markus Fallon any more than he did a hungry wolf in winter. He stood silently.

“I realize this is probably more luxury than you’re used to, but I promised to keep you alive so let’s go,” Markus quipped. Rogan nodded and stood to follow him out.  “Keep your mouth shut and follow me.” Markus swiftly placed shackles over Rogan’s wrists. He didn’t object, only stared suspiciously.

Markus shoved him forward in the direction of a long corridor. They walked in silence for what seemed like hours, the smell of heavy cleaning fluids masking rotten air. The nooks and crannies of the corridor were mostly pitch black with only eerie candlelight dancing in the air. Rogan had the wrenching feeling that most who came down this way never returned to the living world.

“Where are we going?” Rogan asked in a hoarse whisper.

Markus only shoved him forward, and hissed a
shhh.
Finally, the shadow of a door came into the view by the light of Markus’ lantern.

“Go out,” Markus whispered.

Rogan didn’t hesitate and pushed the door open. A wave of chilling fresh air rushed passed him, invigorating him with the reality of freedom. Markus followed him outside and made sure the door was securely locked.

“Come this way.”

He led Rogan around the corner of the building into a narrow alley. Despite the energizing feeling of the cool air on his skin, the air smelled of rotting fish and urine and the ground was caked with slimy gunk that sucked on his boots. A gnawing sensation in his gut was half afraid Markus was taking him out to shoot him and toss his body in the sewer. But then, a beacon of hope emerged from the darkness. An old cargo truck was parked in the alley. Its lights were off but he could see two figures standing beside it. Relief and astonishment swept over him when he saw the tall, elegant form of Brita Falcon standing next to a gruff-looking guard with a thick brown beard.

“Brita,” Rogan said, hurrying toward her. She smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s good to see you alive,” she said. Heartbreak danced in her eyes. “I am so sorry about Ben.”

Rogan fought back a well of rage and pain. He nodded.

“Thank you. He died a hero. I…I know you cared about him too.” Brita nodded. “What’s going on?” Rogan looked around nervously.

“We’re getting you far away from this place,” Brita said.

“Did someone send you? Cable?” She shook her head.

“No, Cable doesn’t know about this. I couldn’t tell him what we were doing. The fewer that know the better.”

“You will tell him though, won’t you?” he asked. Brita nodded. “Thank you for coming.” He eyed the guard suspiciously.

“This is Griff,” Brita said. “He’s on our side.”

Rogan nodded a hesitant hello to the guard. He turned back to Markus, unsure of what was supposed to happen next.
Was he supposed to thank him—the man who was taking away his reason for living and giving him his life back at the same time?

“Brita, you know what to do now,” Markus said softly. Brita nodded.

“What happens now?” Rogan asked.

Markus pulled down the hood of his jacket and looked him hard in the eyes.

“What happens now is you will leave the city. And if you value your life, stay gone. Pantone has a long memory. He will not forget you. He will probably hunt you,” Markus warned.

“And my family?”

“Brita will see them moved to a safe house until the initial anger at your escape has past. I will make sure they have immunity for your crimes. But believe me, they will be tailed and watched. Don’t even think about contacting them. Pantone
will
know.”

“Why are you doing this, Fallon?”

“Because I love her.”

Rogan tried to ignore the punch to his gut.

“We should go now,” Brita urged. She pulled Rogan’s arm gently. “Thank you, Markus, for this.”

Markus nodded.

“Make sure he leaves the city alive. Don’t make a liar out of me.”

“I will. Come Rogan.”

They turned from Markus and walked toward the truck. When they reached the bed, Rogan paused and turned back to Markus.

“Fallon,” Rogan said. Markus turned and faced him. “Take care of her.”

Markus didn’t respond, but nodded. Rogan climbed into the back of the old truck with Brita. Griff hopped behind the wheel and drove him into the darkness—toward his freedom.

CHAPTER 44

Rogan sat at a metal table inside Jova’s warehouse, thinking back on how they ended up here. Would he be the one to bring down a kingdom? Or be the one to save it from itself? The people would never love Pantone; he knew that, but they would follow him because it was their nature to be obedient. But if he ascended as an absolute power, civil war was inevitable. The cause would never stand for it and the rebels wouldn’t stay in the shadows. But maybe, just maybe,
she
could change things. She was the essence of human kindness, of hope. She could inspire change, earn their trust back—set them on a new course.

He reached for an olive from a bowl on the counter and popped it into his mouth, savoring its salty smooth skin before biting into its tender flesh. It was a bit like Arelanda, the olive—salty but with a tender core. Maybe it was a little like him. He hated himself for leaving but he knew there wasn’t another choice. If he stayed, they would all burn. She would be ruined. He would not be the end of the world. This was the only way to save them all.

He heard the sound of footsteps and instinctively reached for the knife at his hip. Iris emerged from the shadows a moment later with a worn green canvas bag over her shoulder. Her long hair was pulled back in a messy bun and her face was heavy with pain. She clutched a long steel knife as well, prepared for confrontation around any corner. When she saw Rogan, she relaxed.

“Iris,” Rogan said stunned to see her. “What are you doing here?”

Iris smirked.

“You think I’d really let my best friend run off in the middle of the night without saying goodbye?” Iris set down the bag. “Besides, I brought you some supplies for the trip.”

Rogan stood to embrace her.

“Thanks. Are you all right?”

Iris shrugged.

“I’m surviving.”

“Iris, what happened? How did they find us?”

Iris stared at the floor and sighed.

“Mikkel.”

Rogan’s eyes went wide and his stomach sank. He hadn’t wanted to believe they had been betrayed.

“What? You can’t be serious.”

“Extremely serious. Pantone bought him off. That old bastard did his research. Figured out who was vulnerable enough to turn. Mikkel is angry and frustrated. His da is drowning himself. The family’s barely getting by. He never thought we were looking out for him the way we should.”

“Unbelievable,” Rogan shook his head. “I never saw that coming. He was moody and volatile, but he’s Valley blood. How could he betray us?”

Iris shrugged.

“Money is a great motivator, I guess. Rumor is he’s the one followed you and the princess.”

Rogan’s stomach clenched in fury.

“You know about her?”

Iris met his gaze and toyed with a smirk.

“Rogan, everyone knows now. That was not a secret that was going to stay buried. I just don’t know why you couldn’t tell me.”

“It’s complicated. I couldn’t tell anyone. How did you find out?”

“After the attack, this woman came to see…to see Ben.” Iris choked out the words and Rogan fought back his own tears. “She was some council member and she met with Cable. She told him you were captured, but alive.”

“Brita,” Rogan said. Iris nodded. “Where is Mikkel now?”

“Protective custody somewhere. He won’t be able to hide forever, though. Cable won’t forget this.”

“So Cable knows about it all, too?” Rogan asked.

“He knows about Elyra,” Iris admitted.

“How did he take it?” Iris smirked.

“I think the words ‘you’re dead to me’ come to mind,” she laughed. “Don’t worry. He’ll forgive in time. It just came as a serious betrayal to him. He blames you for getting us all caught.”

Rogan nodded.

“I can’t blame him for that. Was anyone else taken that night?”

Iris shook his head.

“No, we all got out. Well,” her eyes went dark. “Most of us.”

“Who? What happened?”

Iris took a deep breath.

“Alec is dead.” Rogan’s heart sank. Ben and Alec both gone…it was too much.

“No,” he whispered.

“Bullet to the chest during the raid took him. We got him out, but he didn’t last long.”

“Sibby?” Rogan thought of Alec’s delicate twin with her pixie hair and wide doe eyes.

“She’s not good, I won’t lie. She nearly bled out from the gut shot. But she’s strong. She has us to get her through.”

Rogan thought about the blood on all their hands.

“God. Poor crazy ass Alec.”

“So you’re just going to run away?” Iris finally blurted out. “Because some girl got you into trouble?” Her face was a perfect mask of hurt.

Rogan had been waiting for the outburst. Out of everyone, he knew Iris wouldn’t truly understand.

“I’m not
running
. And she’s not some girl.”

“All those times you lectured all of us about staying and fighting for what was ours—and now you’re just going to disappear into the night and leave us?”

“It’s not that black and white,” Rogan sighed, still tasting her lips.

“What makes her so special? What makes her worth all this?” Iris’ face was red and tight. Rogan knew what this all must feel like to her. How could he expect her to understand?

“How can I explain that? What makes anyone worth it? I love her and that’s the only logic I know.”

“Would she do the same for you?”

Rogan shrugged, thinking about those wide green eyes heavy with the weight of the world.

“I don’t know. But I have no other choice.”

“There is always a choice.”

“I
will
be back.”

Iris scowled.

“Sure. Once you’ve reached the edge of the world and you’re a million miles from this horror, then you’ll be very motivated to return.”

“You think so little of me, doll? That I would simply abandon it all for my own safety? This isn’t about me. It’s about all of us. This is the only way to save everyone.”

Iris’ tightened expression relaxed.

“I think the world of you Rog. You know I do—you’re my best friend. But I just don’t understand. If this all means so much to you, if
she
means so much to you, why don’t you stay and fight for it? Fight for
her.
Why let them chase you into the shadows?”

“If I stay, there will be no fight. It will be a slaughter. If I stay, you will all go down for my crimes. My family will suffer. Elyra will be ruined and will never have the chance to right the wrongs of her father. If I stay, Pantone wins.”

“Not if we stand together. She can fight with us…”

Rogan put a hand on his friend’s shoulder and shook his head.

“No. Once they find me, it will all be over. My family won’t be safe, she won’t be either. The cause will be compromised. As much as it kills me to say it, my family’s and her only chance at survival is that jackass Fallon. He can protect them. And unless I go, he won’t do a thing. Let them think I’ve run like a coward. Never let on that any of you knew anything about my crimes.”

“This isn’t right. You’re going to let this Markus guy take the girl you love?”

Rogan thought about Markus’ well-manicured hands touching El’s smooth skin and he fought back nausea.

“It’s a sacrifice we both have to make.”

“I can’t imagine you not here. You’ve always been here—my whole life.” Iris choked back tears. Rogan pulled her close to his chest and squeezed.

“You’ll have Cable.”

Iris shook her head.

“It’s not the same. What am I supposed to do without you? Without Ben…”

“Be there for the rest of them. Be there for Lorena and Jasper. And protect Ari, especially from herself. We both know she’ll listen to you. She looks up to you.”

“You know I will.”

“And you have to be there for El
,
” Rogan said with a more solemn tone.

Iris scoffed and pulled away.

“Be there for the
princess? Me?”

Rogan nodded somberly.

“She’s going to need friends. When I’m gone, she’ll be alone with no one to trust.”

“She has that Brita woman.”

Rogan shook his head.

“Brita is as dead as the rest of us if things go badly. She’s in no position to help Elyra. You have to be there for her. If things go badly—if Markus betrays her—you’ll need to get her out. Promise me you will.”

Iris nodded.

“Yeah, okay, I promise. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Thank you. Can you do me a favor? Talk to Lorena and Jasper. Explain why I had to go. I know they won’t understand, but try.” Iris nodded. “And Ari…make sure she doesn’t go down the wrong path.”

“That girl is tough as iron. You don’t have to worry about that one. But I’ll do what I can.” Iris sighed. “It will be strange with you gone.”

“It will be strange to not be here,” Rogan echoed. “When I figure out how to avoid being strung up in the city center, I’ll be back, ready to fight.”

“If there’s a city to come back to. As far as I can see, we’re all going down in flames.”

“Then I’ll be back with rain.”