Page 27 of Wrath

“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.

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