Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,5
miss the threatening aura that surrounds him now.
“If you’re staying, shouldn’t we all?” I ask.
“No. We have to get back to Saturn’s Bay ASAP,” Bryce replies.
Rufio has his back to us, and since he remains quiet, I don’t know what his thoughts are on the matter.
“Bryce is right, Daisy.” Morpheus looks at me. “You should return. I’ll get back home as soon as I can.”
He leans closer and then kisses me on the cheek. My face becomes hot in an instant, but I try my best to keep my reaction from showing.
I watch them go without saying another word. My heart is wound tight again. Andromeda’s betrayal was a blow, but I suspect there’s more to the story than meets the eye. I hope Morpheus is able to uncover the truth.
“Damn. I can’t believe we didn’t suspect anything,” Phoenix mutters.
“Did you guys notice Stephan’s absence?” Rufio finally speaks. “Don’t you think that was odd?”
“Totally.” Phoenix nods.
“Yes, it was strange. But discussing the matter in a dark alley is not going to help us.” Bryce turns to me. “Come on, Daisy. Let’s head back. I’ve had enough of Hawk City.”
2
Morpheus
The atmosphere inside the car couldn’t be tenser if it tried. I’m riding shotgun, and Soren is in the back seat with Andromeda. We’ve been on the road for about five minutes, and no one has said a word. I’m usually the quiet one, but I can’t keep my mouth shut any longer.
“How long have you known she was a spy?” I ask.
Mr. Silverstone’s grip on the steering wheel tightens, matching the hard clench of his jaw. “We should wait until we arrive at a secure location to talk about this.”
“Are you afraid your own car is bugged?”
“I’m not taking any chances.”
“Where’s Stephan? I’m surprised he didn’t come on this tag-and-bag mission.”
“My son is not dealing well with the truth about the girl. He’ll come around.”
Of course. It was obvious there was something going on between Stephan and Andromeda. If they were involved romantically, Stephan would take the blow the hardest. But I’m only making assumptions, and that leads to nowhere. I need facts. But as much as I’d like to keep grilling Mr. Silverstone, I don’t want to waste my breath. He’ll only talk when he’s ready.
It takes another twenty minutes to arrive at a house in the suburbs of Hawk City. Not exactly where I imagined the Knights’ secure location would be. Mr. Silverstone parks the van in the garage, and only when the door is shut does Soren exit the vehicle with Andromeda in his arms. She’s still out cold.
“What did you do to her?” I ask.
“Tranquilizer. The effect should wear off soon,” Soren replies.
I follow them inside the house and quickly realize this is not a secret hideout. This is Mr. Silverstone’s home.
“Uh, I thought we were taking her to a secure location,” I say.
“This is it. Our headquarters in the city has been compromised,” Mr. Silverstone replies.
“Compromised how?”
“We had a mole.” Soren takes Andromeda to a large room I can only assume is his father’s office. He lays her on the leather couch and then pulls up a chair in front of the desk.
“You’re not going to detain her? She’s a spy.”
Mr. Silverstone walks around the desk and takes a seat as well, looking mighty casual about the whole deal. Something isn’t right here.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask.
“Relax, kid, and take a seat.” Mr. Silverstone points at the vacant chair next to Soren’s.
“No. I won’t fucking relax. Andromeda ambushed Daisy in a dark alley. I need answers.”
I sense the darkness uncoiling in the pit of my stomach, churning as it gains strength. I have better control of my powers now, but it’s still linked to my emotions.
Calmly, Mr. Silverstone links his hands together, leaning forward as he rests his forearms on the desk. “Fine. It was all a ruse.”
“What do you mean? Is she a spy for the Neo Gods or not?”
I glance briefly at Soren, who is staring at a random spot on the desk. His expression is somber, closed off. The fact that he’s not tossing out cocky remarks as he usually does is troublesome.
“A few months ago, Andromeda came to me. She was recruited by the Neo Gods when she was fairly young, duped into propaganda that’s far from the truth. Like many other Neo God members, she regretted her decision immensely, but once you take the pledge, it’s almost impossible to get out.”