Page 59 of Keeping Sarah

He and Deacon looked completely confused.

“Never mind,” I said, not in the mood to explain the Earth slang I’d learned. “How have things been since Rex has returned?”

The other man’s eyes darkened again. “I’m sure you’ve seen it, since our broadcast is back up.”

“No, we haven’t. What’s happened?” Deacon asked.

“The fights,” he spat, sounding disgusted. “They have been…diminished.”

“In what way?” I asked.

“My master has ordered them to no longer be to the death. He says such things bore him now.”

Deacon’s eyes were on me for a moment, before he glanced back at Helios and asked, “And what terrible thing doesnotbore him now?”

“Who knows?” Helios tossed his hands in the air in frustration. “He keeps changing rules, making thingsbetterforthe lower classes.” He rolled his eyes and huffed, “It has been a nightmare.”

“How so?” Deacon asked.

“If you ruled over a city of the dead, a city populated by those who believe they no longer have anything to lose and only seek to be entertained until they are reborn to the ether, do you think beingkindto them would help or would hinder the order of things?” Helios glanced from me to Deacon. “Do you believe they would respond well to any sort of nicety? Or do you think a level of harshness would keep them from storming the city?”

I thought about what he was saying. “So, Rex isn’t keeping his people in line?”

“The city is on the verge of a riot.” The other man jutted his chin out. “I have told Rex this, but he does not listen to me. Or to anyone, it would seem. Not anymore. He has even stopped holding meetings with the city council.”

“He has a city council?” Deacon asked incredulously.

“Hedid. They are a group of older ghosts who have been on Halla the longest. They know more about this cursed place than anyone. But now, he’s not taking their calls.”

Interesting.And worrisome, as well.

The ship slowed and parked in front of the manor. I slapped the man on his back. “Hopefully, this will be the last you see of us, Helios.”

“If the gods be merciful,” he muttered as we all leftAllegiant.

He led us past the guards and through the dark halls that I had memorized the first time I came. I could have walked the manor blindfolded, thanks to the training I’d had from the academy for scouts. We always had to memorize our surroundings in case of power outages or sudden blindness. Scouts had to be useful, no matter their circumstances, or they were disowned by their employers and left to beg on the streets. Our utility kept us alive.

But with my aching body, I was glad to have the escort to show the guards we came in peace. Fighting our way through the manor was out of the question.

Helios knocked on Rex’s bedroom door and sighed. “It would be best if you two—"

The door swung open, and Sarah smiled at us. “Hi, guys!” She happily threw herself at the both of us.

We kissed her hard, taking turns. I didn’t want to take turns. I wanted to throw her over my shoulder and run out the front door. But once she stepped back she had a strange look in her eye that told me now was not the time. Plus, I couldn’t run anywhere at the moment even if I wanted to.

Helios’ gaze narrowed as he growled, “You again?”

Deacon glared at the other man. “Watch your tone when you speak to my consort.”

But she merely smiled at Helios and said, “Yes, me again. And not just me—Rex is in here, too. Uh, let’s go to his office.”

Fuck.

So, the four of us left for his stately office, enjoying the nastiest looks from his guards. Once we were inside, I didn’t take the time to glance around and memorize my surroundings. I didn’t want to be there any longer than I needed, but I couldn’t stop myself from noting the hand cannon collection on the wall behind his desk.

Oddly enough, Sarah sat in Rex’s chair and gestured for us to sit opposite her. Reluctantly, we did.

Warily, Deacon asked, “What is this all about, Sarah?”

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