Page 75 of Entangled

I look between them, not sure how I feel about this friendship. Heather, fierce and fiery and everything I ever thought I wanted for myself. Eden, determined and thoughtful and too clever by a half.

Why does Eden want to keep Alastair alive?

“These people can’t stay here,” she says to Heather, then she glances at me. Her piercing blue eyes assess me. “If what Dom said is right, this place is compromised.”

She swallows, then her voice becomes strained. “You know he’s going to come—his men need a victory now. And Sam needs us as... as prizes for them. It’s how he keeps them in line.”

Heather and Eden exchange a long, loaded look. I hate the fear I see in their faces. This bullshit isn’t something either of them should have to worry about.

Heather’s shoulders drop. “No, we can’t stay. We have other places. None as big, or as comfortable, but we’ll manage.”

And a weight attaches itself to my back. To my shoulders. To my ankles like a ball and chain.

Because I know what’s coming.

It’s the only right thing.

“Jasper,” Eden says softly, and Jasper gives her a measured look.

His expression is tenderness itself when he says, “Of course they’re welcome.”

“If this place is compromised, then Bristlebrook definitely is as well.” Heather frowns, glancing at me. “I don’t know, maybe we should?—"

“Bristlebrook is the best option,” Eden says firmly. “It’s defensible, further away. There are more weapons there—lots of them. Not to mention, it’s far better shelter than any cave. We have stored foods, the farm. Plus, it has the added benefit of being where we defeated the Sinners last time. Youmustknow it’s the better option.”

“Wait, weapons.” Eden’s brow crinkles. “If they only found guns in the Sinners’ camp, then what happened to the bag of explosives I had?”

My back stiffens. “From Lucky’s stash?”

She nods, and I grimace. That’s bad. I look over at Alastair.

“What happened to the bag?” I demand.

Those cold, cold eyes watch me for a long moment, and when Jayk steps forward threateningly, he smiles a small, unamused smile.

“Sam was in the woods when you took off after your girl. He took the bag and some provisions and left back to Cyanide.”

“He left you?” Jasper asks sharply. “Why would he do that?”

Alastair’s smile could give frostbite. “Ideological differences.”

“Like he would stick his neck out for anyone.” Mateo mutters something in Spanish under his breath.

Jayk swears, and Jasper gives me a thoughtful look.

“All the more reason we’ll need the firepower at Bristlebrook. We can watch them for an approach as well, if we move the cameras around,” Jasper muses. “They can still work for surveillance as soon as they’re repaired and moved to a new location.”

Jayk gives him a begrudging, surprised look right as Bentley chimes in.

“You should build some fortifications too, since you know they’re probably going to hit you in force. A dry moat, walls, some archery posts... snake-pit traps.” When everyone looks at him, Bentley shrugs. “Historically, they’ve worked well.”

Mateo scowls at the same time I do.

Great. Just what I need. Some civilian giving me advice on battle tactics.

I don’t see him offering up Red Zone as a sanctuary.

“You’re right. You are, it’s just—” Heather exhales hard, glancing at me again. “No, you’re right. Bristlebrook is the best option.”

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