Page 17

Marinah

My promised interrogation was postponed, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was because of my newly reinstated status as Secretary of Defense. Despite the president’s proclamation to Labyrinth, my day was spent essentially twiddling my thumbs in my room. Like the Shadow Warriors, I was little more than a prisoner, and the guards stationed in the outer hall were a clear reminder that things weren’t as the president wanted them to appear.

It wasn’t until the following morning that I finally got a chance to speak privately with Labyrinth. We sat down at one of the tables in the Warriors’ eating quarters. The room had eight tables with chairs and absolutely nothing to make it feel welcoming. Even the walls could’ve benefited from a fresh coat of paint. Labyrinth, however, looked perfectly at home in the austere space, dressed in his newly issued U.S. military fatigues. I bit back a comment about the uniform.

“The more we look like them, the more they’ll trust us,” he said, clearly picking up on the distaste written across my face. “Even so,” he added, “they have us eat here to keep humans from being exposed to our animal natures. We must smell bad too,” he finished with a completely straight face.

“I know you stink,” I deadpanned. “I’m not sure about the other Warriors.”

He laughed, and just like that, the small talk was over. Labyrinth leaned forward, his tone shifting as he got down to business. “Yesterday, I checked the area where the hellhounds were sighted, and I didn’t learn a damn thing. I was told that inspecting security would have to wait until later today.” He tapped his finger on the table, his frustration barely concealed. “The Federation has a sizable army. One of the soldiers I spoke with this morning said they’re commandeering civilians and killing those who don’t comply. Entire families.”

The words hit me hard, and I cringed inwardly. “Do you believe him?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

Labyrinth shrugged. “I do. He risked his life to tell me, and if he’s lying, I can’t imagine why the Federation would have him deliver a message so damaging to their reputation. It doesn’t make sense otherwise. I think we should believe him.”

A few years into my job as an analyst, I started worrying about how new soldiers were being brought in. My father assured me that the Federation wasn’t accepting anyone who didn’t volunteer willingly. At the onset of the hellhound attacks, soldiers had seemed to come out of the woodwork, ready to save humanity. But as the death toll climbed into the millions, things began to change. Soldiers deserted, choosing to return home to defend their families instead of staying on the front lines.

I’d heard a few unsubstantiated rumors about resistance in the western U.S. after the new government formed, but I never brought it up with my father. Over time, the rumors faded, replaced by the official narrative: those who didn’t come to the Capitol for safety had died. They were killed by hellhounds, disease, and starvation or at least that’s what they told us. Other than the occasional whisper of rebellion, my world was a small, controlled box. All the intel I received came directly from the Federation.

It hurt to think my father could have been complicit in the corruption. He had to have known things weren’t right. Before his death, areas surrounding the Capitol had been established to house those unable to fight, the young, the old, and the infirm. I’d heard a rumor that many of those people disappeared. Now I wondered what really happened to them. I’d never questioned my father about it. Had I simply buried my head in the sand?

The only people who were truly protected were the family members of the military and the military personnel themselves. Even red stripes and their families received safe lodging. People like me were granted quarters within the tunnel network. I knew countless civilians were left undefended, but it was one of the many things I forced myself to ignore. Thinking about the billions who had died around the world was too much to bear. I simplified my worries, focusing only on those closest to me, mainly my father, whom I’d loved with my entire heart.

After the Federation rose to power almost overnight, there hadn’t been enough uniforms for the soldiers. Red bandannas tied around the upper arm signified infantry. As soldiers died and more uniforms became available, the bandannas were replaced by red-striped patches. I never questioned what happened to the families of the soldiers who died. Were they forced to leave the tunnels? Once again, why didn’t I ask?

A shiver passed over my skin. I was as guilty as the Federation. If I’d taken the time to analyze the rumors and inconsistencies fed to us by the government, I would’ve seen the truth much sooner. Fear had kept me in line, just like it had so many others. Even so, I hated making excuses for my conformity.

I stared at my hands, wondering how I’d ever been that person. “I agree. They’re kidnapping humans,” I said, refusing to soften it with the word commandeer. “They’d need to travel farther out. Places out west and possibly Canada would be the safest bet. We were told Canada had a small, working government. Now that I know the truth, the possibility of mass survivors opens up unlimited potential for the Federation to locate new recruits. If humans survived in Cuba, they survived elsewhere too, including here. Americans aren’t exactly easy to wipe out. I think we have our answer. I should’ve seen this before.”

I glanced up, bracing for the contempt that would be in Labyrinth’s eyes. Instead, I found compassion.

“The soldier who gave me the information said many more humans survived than you were led to believe,” Labyrinth said. “He was also told that speaking about it to anyone would be considered treason. I only got lucky because he’s from a town a stone’s throw from where I grew up, and I knew one of his sisters. He said many civilians are fighting back. He was unlucky enough to be caught in one of their skirmishes, which is how he ended up with a red stripe on his uniform.”

Labyrinth paused, giving me a few seconds to absorb what he’d said, before adding, “If the civilians don’t join, they’re shot on the spot.”

I glanced around the room, wondering how I’d ever fallen for the Federation’s lies. I loved and admired my father so much that it had been easier to follow blindly than to make waves. That was the old Marinah, and I wasn’t that woman anymore. It was time to confront my past and change what I could.

“I need to speak with my old co-workers,” I said. “I need to see what the latest intel is or at least what’s been fed to them.” I took a slow breath. “Like me, they don’t have a clue what’s actually happening.”

His striking dual-colored eyes darkened. “You can’t be certain of that. Don’t trust anyone unless you’re one hundred percent sure of them.” He glanced over my shoulder, going quiet as an unpleasant scent hit our nostrils.

Ten seconds later, General Smyth stepped inside, dressed in military fatigues similar to Labyrinth’s. “May I join you?” he asked, though he didn’t wait for an answer. He pulled out a chair and sat, his attention fixed squarely on Labyrinth while ignoring me entirely.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot,” Smyth said, his tone attempting diplomacy. “I’m hoping we can put our differences aside and work together. Fewer humans and Shadow Warriors will die if we do.”

When Labyrinth didn’t respond immediately, I kicked him slightly under the table.

Even then, the jerk hesitated a moment longer, intensifying his glare before finally speaking. “We trusted you once before, and it didn’t end well. How will this time be any different?” His voice was clipped, and I didn’t miss the subtle way the general’s back stiffened.

King’s council had been clear. Labyrinth wasn’t supposed to roll over for the Federation. He was expected to push back just enough to keep their suspicions at bay. Still, I had to give him credit for not killing Smyth on the spot. The man was pure evil.

The general scratched his chin, his posture seemingly relaxed as he leaned back in his chair. But the hardness in his eyes gave him away. “The Federation is no longer running scared. It took some time for us to recognize the mistakes of the past, but we’re ready to fix what happened. If we’d had standardized communication, we would have reached out much sooner.”

He glanced my way, his gaze lingering just long enough to gauge my reaction. The Federation had no intention of contacting the Warriors until the electromagnetic pulses started up again. I recalled when data fed to us in analytics supposedly came from communications with human survivors who had been attacked by Shadow Warriors. Knowing how much my father respected them, it was one of the few things I’d been skeptical about. I’d brought it up the first time I spoke to President Barnes about my new title. He’d told me that those on the outskirts of society didn’t differentiate between Shadow Warriors and hellhounds, and I shouldn’t worry about it. He should have said worry my pretty little head about it .

I bit my tongue to keep from calling Smyth out on his lie. I was being a good little Secretary of Defense. Labyrinth and I knew the truth but pointing it out wouldn’t help the cause. I needed the general to believe I was on his side, even if he didn’t like me.

Satisfied, he turned back to Labyrinth. “Ms. Church has her debrief, and I’m here to escort her to the appointment. Please choose ten of your men to join me today and examine our defenses. I’ll return for you after dropping off Ms. Church.”

“If Secretary Church isn’t coming with us, my men and I won’t go,” Labyrinth said flatly.

I widened my eyes at him and placed a hand at my throat, feigning concern. “There are hellhounds out there. If you run into trouble, I’ll just be in the way. Please, take the general up on his offer. You’ll be safe with him.” Liar, liar, pants on fucking fire.

Labyrinth’s jaw tightened, his displeasure evident and he wasn’t putting on a show. He didn’t like the idea of me being interrogated, but I could handle myself. Besides, I hoped that afterward, I’d have the chance to visit my co-workers and gather more intel.

After a long, reluctant pause, Labyrinth conceded. “Thank you, General. My men and I will join you.”

The general stood, and when I didn’t immediately do the same, he tugged my chair back an inch to hurry me. “Ms. Church, please come with me.”

I plastered on my biggest, fakest smile. “I believe it’s Secretary of Defense Church,” I said sweetly. “But if you’d prefer, I’ll answer to Secretary Church.”

If his eyes could fry me on the spot, they would’ve done it. “Secretary Church, please follow me,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

My smile only grew, and this time it was Labyrinth who kicked me under the table. Yeah, I was pushing the general’s buttons. A girl needed to have some fun.

We left the Warrior quarters, and I followed the general through what felt like miles of underground tunnels before he finally led me into a small room. It looked exactly like a police interview room, complete with a two-way mirror. Interrogation. Just as I suspected. I let Ms. Beast’s eyes rise to the forefront for a few seconds, long enough to see through the glass. The president and Officer Daniels were on the other side, monitoring my every move.

The general left, leaving me alone. Well, alone in the room , at least. Daniels didn’t take his eyes off me from behind the glass.

The man who entered next was a stranger to me. He stood just over six feet, with a wiry build that suggested more endurance than brute strength. His sandy brown hair, peppered with gray, was cut short, making his sharp features appear even more angular. His hazel eyes seemed perpetually narrowed, as though he calculated everything around him.

His military fatigues were crisp, almost too perfect, suggesting either an obsessive attention to detail or a need to project an air of control. His movements were precise and deliberate. His demeanor radiated authority, but there was an undercurrent of something colder beneath the surface, a sharpness that hinted at a man who preferred manipulation to confrontation.

“Ms. Church,” he greeted, his voice carefully neutral.

He sat across from me, set a folder on the table, and smoothed imaginary wrinkles from the front of his pants.

“I’ve been promoted to Secretary of Defense,” I said, adding a smile to soften the correction, though I didn’t miss the flicker of irritation in his expression.

His return smile was tight. “My first name is Charles. Perhaps it’d be better if we used first names to make this more comfortable.”

I extended my hand. “Charlie, I’m Marinah. Nice to meet you.”

The faint grimace that flashed across his face at the nickname told me he didn’t care for it. He was the first who didn’t linger on my braids. His gaze dropped to the folder on the table between us. My name was printed clearly on the label, and he caught me glancing at it.

“This is your psychological profile and work history,” he said matter-of-factly. “I’m here to ascertain whether you’ve suffered any post-traumatic stress after spending months with those filthy traitors were being forced to work with again.”

His words left no room for doubt about his feelings toward the Shadow Warriors. The name-calling was unnecessary, which was probably why he’d said it. He was zeroed in on my reactions.

Without so much as blinking over his blatant bigotry, I brought my fingers to one of my braids and twirled nervously, slipping fully into acting mode. “I expected it to be worse than it was,” I whispered, leaning in a little closer for effect. “Their beast forms are horrible, and it was hard to keep my revulsion hidden.” I added a dramatic shudder for good measure.

“Your father had no problems with the Shadow Warriors. We didn’t think you would either,” he prodded, his tone laced with calculated curiosity.

I shook my head. “I never understood my father’s regard for those animals. We needed them to battle hellhounds, but that doesn’t mean I don’t hope they go back to their island and leave us alone afterward.”

“Do you think King will do that? Leave us alone?” he clarified, his gaze sharp.

“I don’t see why he wouldn’t,” I replied, adding just a touch of na?veté to the words. “They never mentioned anything about taking over the Federation, and I spoke to many of them at length. They have their own worries.”

“And those would be?” he asked, leaning forward slightly, trying to maintain the upper hand.

I twirled my braid again, feigning hesitation. “Hellhounds on the island, for one,” I said, rolling my eyes upward as if thinking hard about the question. “They also put a lot of time into agriculture, and it keeps them busy. I tend to forget they were once farmers. Working the land is very important to them. It seems to keep them tame.”

He shifted tactics, his tone more probing. “What do you estimate their numbers at?” His eyes were fixed on me, studying every nuance of my expression.

“I only saw about fifty, give or take ten or so.” I shrugged. “Honestly, they all looked alike. I didn’t know there were more until they sent a hundred with me.” I kept the words casual. “The longer I was there, the more relaxed they became about what they said to me. I can’t be completely sure, but I’d estimate their total number is around two hundred. They’re worried about an attack from us. No matter how much I reassured them, I don’t think they believed me. But really, what would we want with their island? We have everything we need here.”

There was barely time to take a breath before he fired off his next question. “And weapons?”

I looked up at the ceiling, pretending to count something, before finally answering. “Their guns are much older than ours, Russian-made, or at least the ones I saw were. Not that I knew what Russian firearms looked like, but that’s what they said. I think they’re in very short supply because most Shadow Warriors didn’t carry them. If you’ve checked the weapons they brought with them, you’ll see they’re in desperate need of replacing.” I added what I hoped was a pleading gaze, though inside, Ms. Beast was grumbling louder than ever, her irritation pressing hard against my ribs. “I told them, as a bargaining chip, that the U.S. would provide weapons if they helped us. I really hope we follow through. I don’t want them thinking I outright lied to them.”

He ignored that entirely and shifted gears without warning. “Did you have sexual relations with King?”

The question came out so casually, like my answer either way wouldn’t matter. My cheeks burned as Ms. Beast’s rumbling anger culminated in a sharp kick to my kidneys. I slowed my breathing, struggling to compensate, and covered my eyes slightly, pretending to be embarrassed. In reality, I was trying not to gasp for air. She was supposed to help me, not make this harder.

“King wanted to,” I said softly, my voice deliberately shaky. “And I know it was expected of me. I would do anything for my country, or at least I thought I would.” I lowered my voice further. “But he’s an animal, and I just couldn’t. I couldn’t be with him in that way.”

His expression remained utterly devoid of compassion. “Was he angry?”

I shrugged, adding a physical shiver. “Maybe a little at first. It delayed negotiations for a few weeks, but in the end, he seemed to stop caring. Honestly, it surprised me that I wasn’t forced. I barely slept most nights during that first month.” I wrapped my arms around myself and began rocking slightly, as though fear and worry were consuming me. It was the best I could do to sell the image of someone fragile and intimidated.

He tossed out the next question without missing a beat. “What about women?”

“On the island?” I asked, buying myself a second to prepare. King and I had anticipated this. They were bound to question me about everything. “I only saw a few, and most were older and used as servants. From conversations I overheard, there were maybe a hundred humans left on the island when the Shadow Warriors originally landed, and those same people are still there. They never spoke to me, and since I don’t understand Spanish, I couldn’t gather much. All I can say for certain is that they’re not a threat. The Shadow Warriors treated me well, but I don’t think the islanders received the same kindness.” I shrugged, keeping my tone casual. “That’s just the impression I got.”

Charles placed his hand on the file folder and drummed his fingers against it. Was he buying any of this?

“We may have more questions for you, Marinah,” he said finally, his tone shifting to something almost pleasant. “I hope you don’t mind if I call on you again?”

His sudden change in demeanor didn’t sit well with me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling I might’ve tipped him off about something. “No, of course not,” I said, shaking my head and forcing an apprehensive expression onto my face. “I just want to help the Federation. Spending time on that island made me see things differently. I think the Warriors can be trusted to a point. After that, the sooner we take care of the hellhounds and they return to their island, the better.”

The interview was over. Daniels met me outside the interrogation room, his expression unreadable, and escorted me back to my room in silence. It wasn’t until the door shut behind me that I finally let myself take a deep breath.