Culling

Part II • Chapter V

His hand trembled as he ran his fingers down my back and we sat like this for a moment before the voice of the peacekeeper captured our attention.

"You need to take her back to your room. We are making sure that President Hendricks is aware of the situation."

Owen's head snapped up. "I need to find a way to get her out of here! I won't allow her to stay here another moment, Mr Henshaw. I don't care what it costs."

"As much as we'd like to help, you know that is simply not possible. That's a bigger issue." Mr Henshaw sounded genuinely sorry. "You knew the risks when you accepted this job."

A faint noise that sounded like a radio transmission came from his direction and the man stopped to listen. "Hendricks is now aware and not happy, he'll be sending people here soon to investigate."

"Is there a plan?"

"Your team was confined in your room after you and your bird were taken by McCoy. Karen sent out a distress call to Axel, and I happened to be patrolling nearby. We are lucky because Corey is on duty right now. The official story will be that you overtook your guards and caused the little mishap in McCoy's office before you escaped on your own."

Owen nodded. It was strange listening to him take instructions from another person, but I suppose that having been out of the loop, he'd have no choice either. "What about Miss Sorenson?"

"It looks like at least one of the boys got involved, Jade and the guard there are dead. Both were caught in the backlash, I think."

"Probably North, at least." Owen said pensively. "We'll sort out the rest of the details later. President Hendricks will have to restrain Mr McCoy now. Any actions that befell Ms William and the other guard were within our rights. We have time to regroup."

Owen carefully stood up and moved me into a bridal carry position.

I wanted to tell him that he couldn't carry me all the way back to our rooms, he looked exhausted and beaten. I could tell that just from his physical appearance, despite the self-assured mask that he had put on. Sure, Owen was one of the tallest of the guys outside of North and Silas, and he was quite strong, but I didn't want him to strain himself if he was hurt.

What had happened to him while I was gone?

However, I also didn't want to argue. I didn't want anyone else near me except for my boys, and I couldn't walk right now. I needed their touch, to feel their presence nearby.

The man moved closer to us and Owen held me to him possessively in response. He must be feeling the same way. "Mr Henshaw?" His voice was wary.

"At least let me carry her until we get to the doors, you look like you are about to fall over."

"No, thank you." Owen's voice was firm.

He rolled his eyes. "Be reasonable, Owen."

Owen turned his body slightly away from the man in an uncharacteristic display of possessive behavior. Although considering the events of the day, I was not entirely surprised. "Thank you for your help, Brandon, but I can carry her."

"Suit yourself." Brandon shrugged, but he didn't seem intimidated like the others might have been. "Follow me, I have to get back to my position soon. As good as he is, even Corey can only cause havoc for so long without drawing notice."

He escorted us all the way to the building exit, where he and Owen exchanged their farewells. Of course, Academy boys wouldn't be Academy boys without doing something cryptic (and I was more than certain that Brandon was one of them). So I wasn't surprised, but too occupied to pay much attention, to the seemingly random message that Brandon had passed on to Owen.