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HUGH WAS BEAT—physically as well as mentally. The trip had been hard, but not talking to Trinity had been harder. He wanted to forgive her. Actually, there was nothing to forgive. She’d done what she’d had to do to live. He understood that, but it ate at him. She should’ve never been in that situation. If she’d listened to him, she wouldn’t have been. His rage warred with his guilt and his heartache. She’d been with Jethro. The boy she’d loved for years.
He sat on the cot in the cave that Tim had sent him to—his new home. It was cold and barren, just like him. This would’ve been perfect when he’d first escaped prison but he wanted more than revenge now. He wanted a life—a life with the woman he loved but she didn’t love him.
He stood and grabbed his backpack, digging through it for the book Verly had given him. He could sit around feeling sorry for himself later. He’d have years to do that—years of living without her. He dropped the book on the makeshift table—a piece of wood held up by two stones. He moved another rock over by it and sat, paging through the book. He grabbed a notebook from his backpack and began trying to decipher the map.
Hours later he stretched. He wasn’t getting anywhere. He went outside, it was almost dark. Laughter was coming from Tim and Millie’s cave—feminine laughter. His mood got lower. He was glad she had friends and family, but he had no one.
“I figured you’d be asleep.” Jackson stepped from the shadows.
“Shit.” He jumped. “Stop sneaking up on me.”
“I didn’t sneak.”
That didn’t make it better. “Did you send word to the others that Trinity has been found?”
“Yeah. I sent out a team of Avions. I told everyone to come here.” Jackson pointed across camp. “Curtis’ team arrived a few hours ago. The others should trickle in over the next few days.”
“Sue and Reese?” He wanted to see his Guards but he wasn’t looking forward to the lecture Sue would give him about ignoring Trinity.
“They should be here soon. Sue led a team deep into the mountains but Perchies—”
“Who?”
“Another of Birdie’s relatives.”
“Are all Avions related to Birdie?”
“It seems that way, doesn’t it.” Jackson laughed. “Anyway, Perchies reported that she found Sue and her team. They’re on their way to camp now.”
Tim left his cave and headed over to them.
“Afraid to stay in there?” teased Jackson.
“With three drunken females whose main topic is males? Absolutely. I wouldn’t have gone in there at all except Arthur fell asleep.”
“At least this time, I’m not in trouble.” Jackson looked at Hugh.
“What? I didn’t do anything.” He was the injured party here.
“Exactly. You haven’t spoken to Trinity in days,” said Tim. “Why is that? Is there something going on between the two of you? Millie’s been saying there is but I keep telling her you’re my friend, brother in a way, and you’d never...never do anything to my daughter.”
“There’s nothing between Trinity and me.” Not anymore.
Jackson rolled his eyes.
“Then why aren’t you talking to her?” asked Tim. “None of this was her fault. I’m going to kill that boy the next—”
“None of this was her fault?” This was why she didn’t listen. Her father spoiled her. “She disobeyed a direct order. She snuck away...again.”
“Yeah, but that’s her.” Tim grinned. “She has spunk.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” He headed back to his cave. He’d rather get a headache staring at the maps than listen to any more of this crap. It wasn’t all Trinity’s fault but some of it was.
“Where’re you going?” Jackson trailed after him.
“To my place.” He glanced over his shoulder, dreading his next words. “Come on. I need to show you something. You might be able to help me decipher it.”
“What is it?” Tim’s eyes brightened as he followed.
He went into his cave and showed them the book. “The Forest Witch gave this to me. She said there are secret places all over the forest and many lead into the city, like the tunnel in the building by the Midtown Shelter”
“And the one that goes from the Lake of Sins to the Remore house,” said Jackson.
“Right. I forgot about that one.” He made a note on his paper.
“I think this is the Lake of Sins Garage.” Tim pointed to a spot on the map.
“Why do you think that?” He leaned over the table studying the book. “The building on the map isn’t anywhere near the size of the garage.”
“That’s because this book is old. You see the river marked here?” Tim’s claw skimmed across the map.
“There’s no river near the Lake of Sins Garage.”
“There was. It was diverted years ago.” Tim glanced around. “Where are your maps of the city and surrounding areas?”
“At the other camp.” He dropped onto the rock.
“No, they aren’t,” said Jackson. “I sent all the maps and plans back here when Trinity disappeared.” He headed for the cave entrance. “Since none of us would be waging war, I figured this location was safer. I’ll be right back.”
A few moments later Jackson returned with the papers.
“Spread them out on the table,” said Tim.
“No, the floor. There’s not enough room on the table.” He tossed Tim the book. “Tear out the pages while we arrange the maps on the floor.”
“I hate destroying books.” Tim stared at the book as if afraid to damage it.
“You can tape it together later. We need to put the pages over the areas of the map where we believe they belong.” He glanced at the other two, hope flickering to life once more. “If the tunnels exist we can use them to attack. We need to go on the offensive before the Council releases the weapons.”