Page 30 of Uprising

“Maybe a thousand.” Holden shrugs.

“A thousand?” I repeat as my eyes widen.

Ben glances around before leaning in. “They’re not all Storm Crows. Some are just unfortunates that have fallen foul of the Governor and now they’re here, hiding out.”

“This is like some den of thieves.” I say. “Like something out of Robin Hood.”

Ben laughs. “Maybe.”

“Koen makes sure everyone has a job.” Holden says. “That everyone pulls their weight. If you don’t have a useful skill then he gives you something to do like cleaning.”

“He’s like a lord.” I mutter.

“And this is his kingdom.” Ben says.

I don’t know if I like it. I don’t know how this sits in my head. But then where else can I go? Where else can any of us go? I glance around, watching the few people milling about. There are kids here too, whole fucking families.

“Do they all know what Darius is like?” I ask.

Holden nods. “Yeah, most of them stay out of the main fighting but the men and some of the women are happy to get stuck in and fight back when needed.”

“And what does that look like?” I ask.

Ben winces. Holden tilts his head. “In truth it’s just been little skirmishes. Nothing big. I think Koen is goading them, poking the dragon before he does something that really rocks the boat.”

“And how do we know who’s a Storm Crow and who’s just hiding out for safety?” I ask.

“Tattoos. All the Storm Crows have tattoos.”

“So no one else does?” I can hear the disbelief in my voice. That can’t be a way to decipher it.

They shrug. “You get used to it. But we’re all in the same boat. It doesn’t matter if we’re part of his gang or not, we all get treated the same.”

That makes me pause. There’s no hierarchy? No Storm Crows lauding it up?

“What’s he like then, Koen?” I’ve heard things about him. Enough things to make me want to consider better options, that is if there were any.

“He’s fair. But he has a short temper. Someone tried to sell us out a few weeks ago and he found out…” Holden grimaces. “Let’s just say what they did to him will haunt me for years.”

“So he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty.” I murmur. I’m not surprised. He and his brother used to run the streets before Darius and Calvin came in on their ‘Safe Verona agenda’.

I take a deep sigh. I need some space to think. I need some time to process this.

“You okay?” Ben asks.

I shake my head before looking up meeting his gaze. “Can you do me a favour?”

“Anything.” He replies.

“I need…” I pause. How do I explain what I need? What I’m asking for? When I get the words out Holden is giving me such a look and Ben, Ben is looking like he wants to talk me out of it.

“I need to see it.” I state.

“Roman…” Holden begins.

“Just do as I ask.” I reply.

Ben gets up, jerks his head for me to follow and I do, ignoring the stiffness in my knees. I need to exercise too. I need to really start working my muscles.