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CHAPTER NINE

WYNTER

I sit at the table wondering why Leonie and I have been summoned by Martha.

Inside, I’m panicking. If she asks me about last night, I might crumble because I’ve been tearful all day wondering what Lenny planned to do to me.

I have vague memories of him lying over me, and I know I told him to stop. If it hadn’t been for Leonie . . .

Martha’s kept me in the kitchen all day, which was a relief because it meant Lenny couldn’t corner me.

“I know,” she begins, and I exchange a wary look with Leonie.

“It’s okay, Wynter. I told her,” she explains. “Martha is here to look after us.”

“You won’t tell my father, will you?” I ask, and Martha smiles kindly, shaking her head. She turns to Leonie. “I’ll take it from here. Thank you for letting me know.”

Leonie nods, offering me a small smile before leaving. Jaycee turns from the sink where she’s washing vegetables and begins to dry her hands.

“We know we can trust you,” says Martha, “and it’s very important you keep this amongst us.”

“We’re planning an escape,” Jaycee blurts out, sitting beside me, and Martha gives her an eyeroll.

“An escape?” I repeat, confusion clouding my brain. “Can’t you just leave?”

“We’re as trapped here as you,” Martha explains. “When people arrive here, they surrender everything.”

“Money, houses, debt . . . everything,” says Jaycee. “They sell it like some dream,” she continues. “Come to Paragon Village, where all your troubles will be resolved.”

“And once you’re here, you realise it’s nothing more than a cult set up by men to serve men.

” Relief floods me. They see it. They see what I’ve been trying to tell people for too long.

“They say this isn’t a prison, that we’re free to leave, but after witnessing what happened to Jade and Abel, we realise that’s not the case. ”

“Has anyone ever asked to leave?”

Martha shrugs. “Most of the men in the village want to stay. Why wouldn’t they? And I think some of the wives are too scared to stand up and argue for freedom. Once here, men change, or maybe they’ve always been the way they are and this place gives them the power to control their families.”

“Is that what happened to you?” I ask.

“My husband promised this life was better. Turns out it was just a way to keep me to himself and control my every move.”

“But he’s been gone a while,” I point out. “Why haven’t you asked to leave?”

“And go where?” she asks. “I have nothing and no one. Besides, I’ve been too scared to raise my views in case it upsets the four pretentious pricks,” she adds, and I can’t help the laugh that escapes me.

“How did you end up here?” I ask Jaycee.

“I was trouble back home,” she admits. “I was under the care of the government after my parents died. Their places for kids aren’t very nice,” she adds. “And then I noticed younger boys were being sent here, so I asked if I could come too.”

I look at Martha. “Is that why you said the boys who come here get a better life, because the government don’t take care of them?”

She places a hand over mine. “What they’re doing is wrong, Wynter, but I couldn’t admit that in case you weren’t trustworthy.”

“Why do you suddenly trust me?” I ask warily.

“I thought I could when you were asking so many questions,” she admits, “but when Leonie told me what happened, I knew I could share this with you and you wouldn’t be able to tell a soul.”

I frown. “Because you have a secret on me?”

“Exactly.”

I’m not sure how I feel about her veiled threat, but I give a slight nod. “Okay. Let’s just leave. We’ll go to the gate and tell them to open them. And when we get into the outside world, we’ll tell someone what they’re doing here.”

“Tell who?” asks Jaycee. “No one cares. That’s why they’ve not noticed when kids go missing from the system.”

My brow furrows. I’d never felt able to leave because I was too scared of what awaits me. But if there are more of us, maybe it wouldn’t be so frightening. “What’s the plan?” I ask.

“We don’t have one,” Martha admits. “There’s only the four of us.” I look confused, and she adds, “Anna wants to leave too.”

“We could just leave through the caves, get out from that bar?”

“Impossible,” says Jaycee. “For one, I have no idea how to get there. Do you?” I shake my head.

“The bent guards have maps. They also know what times other guards patrol. And even if we made it, there’s nothing to say there won’t be guards waiting in that bar.

They won’t risk us getting out in case the forefathers discover what they’ve been up to. ”

“Plus, that bar is in the middle of nowhere. It’s miles to the nearest village. We’d need to avoid roads in case the forefathers are driving to or from the village. It’s too risky.”

“We should just tell them we’re leaving,” I say, pushing to stand. Anger courses through me. “They can’t make us stay. We just need to walk out the gates and leave.”

“The gates they keep locked?” asks Martha. “This place is guarded from the outside in. If we were allowed to leave, they wouldn’t keep it guarded. Besides, once we alert them to our plan, they might just kill us all.”

“Seeing what they did to Abel and Jade changes everything,” adds Jaycee. “They’re getting more controlling and more powerful. The people in the village are being brainwashed into thinking the forefathers are keeping them safe.”

“We need the warriors,” I say, my mind racing with ideas. “They can’t get to us if we have them beside us.”

“Are you crazy?” asks Martha, laughing. “The second we set the warriors free, they’ll kill us or rape us. It’s all they know.”

I shake my head. “No. Wrath wouldn’t, and he’s the strongest. I can get him on our side.”

“You’re delusional,” Martha snaps. “Those men aren’t like other men. They’re animals, trained for two things.”

“And we need them for only one,” I say firmly. “How do I get regular access to Wrath?”

“Why? What are you going to do, just let him out?” asks Jaycee nervously.

I shake my head. “I’m going to tell him our plan. Then I’ll need to think of a way out of here for us all.”

“You want to bring the warriors out into the real world?”

I nod. “I won’t leave Wrath behind.”

“But they’re not trained to live in normal society,” reasons Martha.

“I see it in his eyes,” I argue. “Wrath isn’t a cold-blooded killer, and he hates everything they make him do. Give me time to figure it all out.”

Jaycee smiles. “I knew you’d help us.”

Martha doesn’t look convinced, but she gives a stiff nod. “I can get you access. You can take over from Anna and deliver food three times a day. She also tidies their rooms in the evenings.”

“What about Lenny?” asks Jaycee. “You can’t be alone with him.”

I sigh. “I’ll have to be brave and face him sometime.”

“You’ll get the keys to the room doors,” says Martha. “If he comes at you, place a key between your fingers and hit him in the face,” she says, demonstrating with her own set of keys. “Then scream for me.”

“We’re going to do this,” I say firmly, smiling.

“I have no idea how,” mutters Martha, “but I believe you.”

At lunchtime, Martha sets up the dinner trolley and hands me the keys. The second I step into the guards’ quarters, Lenny pushes to his feet. “Here she is,” he sneers, throwing his arm around my shoulder. Alex offers a sympathetic smile. “I thought you were avoiding me.”

“No,” I say, shrugging him off. He glares for a second. “I’m taking over for Anna,” I add.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he spits. “Wrath doesn’t need unsettling.”

“He seems calmer when she’s around,” says Alex. “I think it’s a good idea.”

“Good thing I never asked for your thoughts,” snaps Lenny, sitting back down. “I’ll speak with Martha.”

“I thought you’d be pleased,” I say, forcing a smile. “It means you get to see me more.” Alex frowns, clearly confused, but Lenny thinks over my words and nods.

“Good point.”

I force a wider smile before going to the first room.

Zeus is ready at his table. He scowls when I smile, placing his tray before him. “Stop pretending you hate me,” I tease.

“I hate everyone,” he mutters.

“But not me,” I sing-song. “Plus, I got you a treat,” I add, placing a square of chocolate on his tray. “Don’t tell the guards,” I whisper.

He eyes it suspiciously. “What is it?”

“It’s the best-tasting thing ever,” I reply. “Try it.” He takes it carefully, sniffing it before licking the edge. Then he pops it in his mouth and groans in delight. “Now do you like me?” I ask, heading for the door.

“I’ll think about it.”

Maximus is sleeping, so I leave his tray on the table and go straight to Abraham. “Good afternoon, Abe,” I say, placing his tray down.

“Why are you always so happy?” he snaps in irritation.

“I’m not happy at all,” I tell him, “but neither are you. We’re in the same boat, so I thought I should be nice to you.”

“Not the same boat,” he mutters. “You’re free out there.”

“It may look like that, Abe, but trust me, I’m not.” I place the chocolate square down. “I also stole this for you,” I whisper. “It’s a sweet treat. Don’t tell the guards.”

He stuffs it in his mouth. “What is this?” he asks, his eyes wide with surprise.

I smile. “A square of happiness.”

Wrath is chained at the table with his back to me.

The second I’m close, he inhales then turns to look at me.

“Good afternoon,” I say, placing his tray down.

“I’ll be bringing your meals from now on,” I add.

“So, be on your best behaviour and we’ll get to see each other.

” His eyes narrow, scanning my face like he’s looking for something.

“I also got you this,” I say, holding out two squares of chocolate, there’s no point in Max’s going to waste.

He doesn’t take it, so I place it on his tray. He suddenly makes a grab for my hand, and I almost cry out in surprise. He stares at the faint finger bruises Lenny left on my skin. “Guard,” he mutters.

I glance back to make sure no one is watching from the doorway before gently placing a hand over his wrist. “I’m fine,” I whisper.

“He hurt you,” he says, and his deep, rumbling voice makes my heart swell.

“But I’m okay.”

“It’s not okay,” he says, taking my other wrist and examining the bruises there. His eyes trail up to meet mine. He raises a hand, but the chain is too short, and he growls, tugging it even though it’s clear it won’t budge.

I gently cup his face, and he leans into my touch.

“Be good so they have no reason to stop you eating,” I whisper.

“I’ll be back this evening.” I take a square of the chocolate from the tray and rest it against his lips.

“Open.” He does, and I slide it in, watching as his eyes light up.

And then I do something I’ve been dreaming about doing for days—I press my lips to his.

I linger there for a moment, enjoying being close, and when I pull back, his eyes are closed like he’s lost in the moment too.

I step back and release a long breath before turning and heading out.

Wrath

I stare after her. My lips are tingling, and the urge to drag her back to me is overwhelming. I close my eyes and picture the bruises that bastard left on her perfect skin. He’ll pay.

The door opens and in he comes, smirking like he has every day for months.

Out of all the guards, he’s the worst. He gets a kick from causing pain, but up until now, I’ve taken whatever he’s given.

“Looks like you’re in demand,” he sneers, placing a metal cuff over my wrist and releasing the short one from the wall.

He chains my hands together and leads me from the room like a lamb to slaughter.

I’ve performed in three ceremonies this week, and I’ve hated every last one.

The only thing getting me through is thinking about Wynter.

I picture her beneath me and it’s over pretty quickly.

I’m forced to swallow some of the blue pills they make us take before ceremonies.

“You need to last longer,” he warns me. “You’re making it too quick.

” But that’s how I want it to be, because it’s clear each woman is terrified.

I cause them pain, make them bleed, and they cry quietly beneath me, waiting for me to spill into them so it can all be over.

As we make our way through the caves, he glances back. “Bet you’re pleased Wynter will be bringing your food every day now. Just don’t get any ideas because she belongs to me.” My hands clench into tight fists. “I’m gonna fill her with my fucking babies,” he adds. “Then she can’t leave me.”

The thought of Wynter carrying this idiot’s child fills me with rage. I have nothing here, only memories of my mother, and Wynter is the first light I’ve felt in so long, I refuse to let this monster dull it.

I slam my fist into the back of his head, making him stumble. He reaches for the yellow thing in his side pocket, but I pull on my chains hard and he falls back onto his arse. I grip the chain between my hands and wrap it around his neck, my heart pumping fast as adrenaline fills my body.

He tries desperately to loosen it, coughing violently as I choke the air from him. I tug harder, and he falls limp, his head lolling to one side and his hands easing their grip on the chain.

I wait a second, making sure he’s not breathing before unwrapping it. Reaching into his pocket, I take his keys and unlock the cuffs, sighing in relief. I don’t remember the last time I walked free.

I stare at Lenny’s lifeless body and smile. She belongs to me.

I make my way along the familiar tunnel that leads outside. Then I make my way up the hill and into the church, where everyone is waiting for the ceremony to begin. I walk along the fluffy carpet, my toes sinking into the softness, making my heart even happier.

The people turn to look at me, surprised I’m not wearing chains.

I hear men talking in hushed tones, but I continue to the raised area, where a shaking woman lies with tears in her eyes.

I climb over her, pushing into her as gently as I can so I don’t cause her further pain.

She stiffens, squeezing her eyes closed.

I concentrate on her as I move back and forth, trying to last as long as they want me to.

And when I feel like enough time has passed, I close my eyes and think of Wynter—her dark hair wrapped in my fist, her swollen lips from our kisses, and the way she clings to me as I .

. . I stiffen, releasing into the woman and groaning in relief.

Then I climb off and head back the way I came.